I-.'* 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


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A 


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1.25  1  1.4    II  1.6 

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Hiotographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


'^ 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


> 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


I  ^ 


1 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  uniquo, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 
D 
D 


I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 

Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommagde 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur§e  et/ou  pellicul^e 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


D 
D 
D 
D 


D 


D 


Cartes  geographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relid  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

Lareliure  serrde  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intdrieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoratiori  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajoutdes 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  dtait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filrn^es. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl6mentaires; 


L'Institut  a  microfilm6  le  meitleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mdthode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquds  ci-dessous. 

□    Coloured  pages/ 
Page.i  de  couleur 

□    Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommag6es 

□    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pelliculdes 

rryl    Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
yyl    Pagss  d^colordes,  tachet^es  ou  piqu6es 

Pages  d^tach^es 

Showthroughi 
Transparence 

Quality  of  prir 

Qualitd  in^gale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  materii 
Comprend  du  matdriel  suppl^mentalre 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


j      I  Pages  detached/ 

I      I  Showthrough/ 

I      I  Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I      I  Includes  supplementary  material/ 

I — I  Only  edition  available/ 


D 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  dtd  film^es  d  nouveau  de  fapon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqud  cidessous. 

10X                              14X                              18X                              22X 

26X 

30X 

z 

i 

12X 

16X 

20X 

24X 

28X 

32X 

- 'iiiiiiiiiiiii'iil'iiiiiiHii 


f 


lire 

ddtails 
jes  du 

modifier 
ger  une 

filmage 


f 
i6es 


ire 


The  copy  filmed  liere  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Library  of  Congress 
Photoduplication  Service 

The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^  (meaning  "COI^- 
TINUED"),  or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

IMaps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


L'exemplaire  film4  fut  reproduit  grdce  A  la 
gdnirositd  de: 

Library  of  Congress 
Photoduplication  Service 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettet6  de  l'exemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimis  sent  fiimis  en  commen^ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
origiriaux  sont  filmis  en  commengant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaftra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — ^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmis  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffirents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  il  est  filmi  d  partir 
de  I'angle  supirieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nicessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mithode. 


}y  errata 
ed  to 

mt 

me  pelure, 

apon  h 


1  2  3 

4  5  6 


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LETTERS 


T  a  OM 


General   Washington 

TO 

SEVERAL  ilF  HIS  FRIENDS, 

IN 

loNE  and   Tl'Iv,   1776} 
/ 

AN  INTErtESTINO   VIEW 
OF 

AMERICAN    POLITICS, 


rf.  -.  <  <_. 


AT    THAT 


ALWMPORTANT  PERIOD. 


\i  P II- \  t  ^-<•<-v' 


PHILADELPHIA:    j 

niiPUBLisnrrx  at  the  federal  press, 

1795. 


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PREFACE 


To  THIS  EDITION. 


THE  following  Letters  are,  at  this 
time,  republiflied  from  a  Bofton  Edi-. 
tion,  now  out  of  print,  as  furnifhing  an 
intereding  appendix  to  the  Official 
Letters  of  General  Washington, 
which  have  lately  made  their  appear- 


ance. 


Jill 


' ''  ti 


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— jBmgjjiif.wuiti'ji'L/'-  V-  »at'.iu!!'!ii  t.'.rw!'.- 


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PREFACE 

To  the  Former  Edition  of  ihcfc  Letters,  fion  whicii  the 
Present  Edition  is  copieJ. 

■'///?  pitblic  will  naturally  be  inquifitive  as  ti  the  authenti- 
city b/the  follotving  letters,     for  every  thing  elfe^  they  will 
jpeak /or  thrmfelvfs  :  and  for  their  genuinenefs,  the  Editir  con- 
teives  hi mfelf  concerned  to  give  only  ftich  vouchers  as  he  him f elf 
has  received.     By  the  bft  packet  he  was  fuvotired  ivith  a  letter 
from  n  friend,  now  ferving  in  a  loyal  corps  under  Brigadier- 
General  De  Lancey  $f  New-Ttrk,  of  which  he  here  fubjoins  a 
faithful  extraa.     Pleajcd  vjith  t})e  cmniu nication  himfilf  (and 
as  he  is  not  ajhamed  to  add,  inflruSiedby  it)  he  could  not  he  enfy 
to  withhold  it  from  the  public  at  large  :   inafmuch  as,  in  his 
judgment,  it  exhibits  a  fairer  and  fuller  viciv  of  Jmrican  po- 
litic s^  than  the  world  has  yet  feeii. 

'■'■Among  the  pri finer s  at  Fsrt  Lcc,  Irfpicda  mulatto 

fellow,  whom  /thought  I  rccollcSfcd,  andivho  confirmed  my  con- 
jeSJures  by  gazing  very  earnejUy  at  me.     I  afked  him  if  he  knew 
me.     At  fir (l,  he  was  unwilling  to  own  it ;  but,  when  he  luas 
about  to  be  carried  of;  thinking,  Ifuppofe,  that  1  r.ighi  perhaps 
betffomeferviceto  him,  he  ca/ne  andtoldme,that  he  ztv.f  BiUy,and 
the  oldfervant  of  General  IFaJhington.     He  ha  I  been  left  there 
tn  account  of  an  indifpofttion  which  prevented  his  attending  his 
majltr.     I  ajked  him  a  great  many  que/1  ions,  as  you  mayfuppof ; 
but  found  very  little  fatisfaSlion  in  his  anfwers.     Jt  tail,  hovj- 
evtr-t  he  told  me  that  he  had  a  fmall portmanteau  of  his  mqfi:r's ; 
ef  which,  when  he  found  that  he  mujl  be  put  into  confinement,  he 
tntrtated  my  care.     It  contained  only  a  few  fiockings  andftmts  \ 
«nd  I  could  Jet  nothing  viorth  my  care,  except  an  almanack,  in 

?  which 


m  r  iiiin*  M<— irtWh»«» 


J 


Jil 


uh'uh  he  hadktpt  a  fort  t/ajournaly  or  diary  of  hi,  protttdhis 
fine f  his firj}  coming  toNtw  Ytrk:  thtKf  wtri  alfo  twtUtttrsf,  om 
his  lady,  one  from  Mr.  Cujlisy  andfimi  pretty  Ung  ones  from  a 
Mr.  Lund  irajhington;  and  in  the  fume  bunalt  uith  them,  tht 
firjidraughts.or foul  copies,  ofnnfwers  to  them.    I  readth.fe  with 
uvidity;  tnd  being  highly  entertained  with  them,h<ve  fl^ewn  them 
toftveral  of  my  friaids,  who  nil  agree  with  me,  that  he  is  a  very 
different  charaiier  from  what  they  had  fuppofed  him.     I  never 
knew  a  nw.n  fo  mm  h  to  he  pitied.     If  I  remember  right,  you  havt 
fan,  and  have  f:  me  knowledge  of  him  j   but  it  is  impoJJilUyou 
touldformfojujl  an  tHimate  of  him  as  thef  Utters  will  give  you. 
They  ccntain  alfo,  as  you  will  find,  a  deal  of  information,  not  t$ 
he  had  any  where  elfe  :  J  affure  myfelf  therefor*,  you  will  thank 
me  for  the  trouble  I  i)ave  taken  in  copying  them  for  your  pt' 
rufal." 


*-: 


(     9     ) 


f  hit  practtdiHgi 

twtUittrs/tem 

eng  onti  from  a 

t  u,ith  thim,  tht 

f  rtadthifr  with 

hfvtfljtwn  them 

that  he  is  a  very 

i  him.     I  never 

righttyuu  have 

s  impo/fi/ ie  you 

-i  tvil/give  you. 

ottnatien,  not  t$ 

you  will  thank 

m  for  your  p*- 


L 


E '  T     T     E    'R 


S 


FROM 

General  Washington. 


New-Yoikt  yune  i?,   I "76. 

Ta  Mr.  Lund  lytijhington.,  at  Mount  Vernon,  Faitfux  County^ 

Virginia. 

Dear  Lund, 
T^ HOUGH  I  wrote  to  you  but  a  vcy  few  d;'.ys  ago, 
and  have  nothing  new  of  much  moii  ent  to  con  niuni- 
cate,  I  cannot  deny  myfelf  the  comfort  of  unburthcninj  my 
mind  to  you,  whenever  I  have  a  litllt-  leifurc,  amiJ  the  thou- 
fand  anxieties  and  difquietudes  that  almoft  diftrad  me.  I 
know  the  goodncfs  of  your  heart,  and  that  you  will  attend  to 
me  with  iud  ilgencc  and  fympailiy,  though  it  be  not  in  your 
pawe.-  any  o  heiwi  e  to  affv)id  me  lelicf.  There  cannot,  ia 
the  nature  of  things,  be  a  fitiiation  fo  truly  iriclume  to  an  in- 
genuous mind,  as  he  being  perpitualiy  oblig^J  tj  aiSl  a  part 
foreign  to  our  true  feelings;  yet  this,  alas  !  as  y  lu  kiiovv,  r, 
and  muft  be  my  lot.  I  weai  a  countenance  d  elfed  in  thd 
calm  feicnity  of  perfedl  confidcuLC,  whiJft  m.  he.rt  is  cor- 
roded with  infiniie  appreh^nfians,  and  I  h^^  at  bj.bm  friend 
near  me,  to  wh  m  I  dare  lay  it  upe.i.  IMl  me.  Land,  for 
you  have  long  been  pi  vy  to  m ,  moft  lecret  tho  ght  ,— 
trufting  to  thy  naive  cando  ,  I  have  n  ver  hefitated  i;  lay 
my  heait  bare  and  open  to  tiiy  infrtclion;  tell  me  ihen,  am 

B 


4 


I 

iii! 

i'fi 

M 

ill 


1^  ■:» 


;* 


:  (    10    ) 

I,  do  you  think,  more  (ubjeft  to  fears  than  other  men  ?  For 
I  will  not  conceal  it  ^onUSV'.^^  *'  ^'^'^  moment,  I  feel 
mvfclfavcryoward.  btrn^t^ffl^e  me:  I  thank  my  God 
I  ha/e  never  yet  known  what  rt  was  to  fear  for  any  pcrfonal 
danger  tliaL  might  htfal  mc.  1  am  not  afraid  to  die:  why 
fhouU"!  I  ?  I  am  afraid  only  to  die  with  infamy  and  liifgrace. 
And,  if  I  am  afraid  fo  t  >  die,  need  I  tell  you  that  I  am  ten 
thoufand  tim  s  more  afraid  to  live,  like  Lucifer,  a  fallen  an- 
gel. No,  Lund,  that  were  too  much;  betide  what  will,  I 
cannot,  and  I  will  not,  furvive  either  my  misfortunes,  or  my 
difgr.;ccs.  Heaven  knows  how  truly  I  love  my  country ; 
an  1  that  I  embarked  in  this  arduous  enterprize  on  the  pureft 
motives.  But  we  have  overfliot  our  mark  :  we  have  grafped 
at  things  beyond  our  reach  :  it  is  impoffible  we  fhoald  fuc- 
ceed;  and  I  cannot  with  truth  fay,  that  I  am  forry  for  it; 
bccaufe  I  am  far  from  bsing  fure  that  we  deferve  to  fucceed. 
That  the  Britilh  Miniftry  had  meditated  fchemes  fatal  to  the 
liberties  of  America  ;  and  rhat,  if  wc  had  not  oppofed  their 
firft  eflbrts  to  impofe  taxes  upon  us,  without  our  conftnt, 
we  might  have  bid  adieu  to  svery  idea  of  conftitutional  fe- 
curity  hereafter,  I  have  not  a  doubt.  Nay,  I  am  fo  tho- 
roughly petfuaded  of  the  unworthinefs  of  their  defigns,  and 
of  the  duty  of  every  honeft  American  to  oppofe  them,  that, 
diffatisficd  as  I  am  with  my  fituation,  were  it  to  do  over 
again,  i  would  rather  be  even  as  I  am  than  tamely  crouch, 
whdtt  chains  were  faftening  round  my  neck  ;  fur  there  is 
not,  in  my  cftimation,  fo  \  ilc  a  thing  upon  earth  as  a  human 
beuig  \vho,  having  t.ce  enjoyed  liberty,  can  patiendy  bear 
to  lee  it  taken  from  him.  I  would,  and  I  will  die  ten  thou- 
la.'.d  dcaihs,  rather  than  be  this  thing  myfelf.  On  thefc 
principles,  and  thcfe  only,  I  firft  took  up  arms;  but  my 
misfortune,  and  the  true  fource  of  all  my  uneafinefs  is,  that 
though  in  good  policy,  as  well  as  honour,  thefe  ought  to  be 
the  principles  of  every  American,  I  have  long  ago  difcovcred 
they  are  not,   and    on  this   account   alone    I  dread   our 


!« 


1  other  men  ?  For 
his  moment,  I  feel 
i:  I  thank  my  God 
lar  for  any  pcrfonal 
fraid  to  die:  why 
ifamy  and  liifgrace. 

you  that  I  am  ten 
ucifer,  a  fallen  an- 
aetide  what  will,  I 
misfortunes,  or  my 

love  my  country ; 
prize  on  the  purefl: 

:  we  have  grafped 
ible  we  fhoald  fuc- 
!  am  forrv  for  it; 
defcrve  to  fucceed. 
Ichemes  fatal  to  the 
,d  not  oppofed  their 
'ithout  our  conftnt, 
'  conftitutional  fe- 
Nay,  I  am  fo  tho- 
F  their  defigns,  and 
I  oppofe  them,  that, 
vere  it  to  do  over 
than  tamely  crouch, 
neck  ;  for  there  is 
)n  earth  as  a  human 
,  can  patiently  bear 
I  will  die  ten  thou- 

myfelf.     On  theic 

up  arms;  but  my 
y  uncafmefs  is,  that 
r,  thefe  ought  to  be 
Ions  ago  difcovcred 
done    I  dread   our 


(     "     ) 

defeat.     Our  want  of  (kill,  our  want  of  ammunition,  in 
fliort,  our  want  of  everything  which  aji  army  ought  to  have, 
are  all,  no  doubt,  exceedingly  againll  us ;  but  they  r.re  all 
no  hing  to  our  want  of  virtue.    Unufed  to  the  many  arts  aud 
devices,  by  which  defigning  men  carry  their  points,  1  un- 
willingly l.ftened  to  my  own  apprehenfions,  when  early  m 
the  firft  Congrefs,  I  thought  I  faw  a  tendency  to  me:iiurcs 
which  I  never  could  appove  of.     I  reafoi.ed  mylelt,  howe- 
ver, out  of  mv  fears,  vvith  no  ordinary  reproach  on  my  own 
meannefs,  in  'having  given  way  to  (ufpicions,  which  could 
not  be  true,  unlcfs  we  had  men  amongft  ourfelves  more  fla- 
gitious than  even  thofe  we  were  oppofing.    At  length,  how- 
ever, when  a  continental  army  came  to  be  voted  for,  my 
fears  returned  with  redoubled  force;  for  then,  for  the  iirll 
time,  I  clearly  faw  our  aims  reached  farther  than  we  cared 
to  avow.     It  was  carried  with  an  unanimity  that  really  allo- 
nifhed  me;  becaufe  I  knew,  many  who  voted  for  it  were 
as  averfe  to  the  independency  of  America  as  1  was.     And 
they  even  ridiculed  me  for  my  apprehenfions  on  that  account ; 
and,  indeed,  when  they  fuggefted,  that  Great  Britain,  feeing 
us  apparently  determined  to  rifque  every  thing  rather  than 
that  they  fhould  tax  us,  would  never  think  of  engaging  in  a 
civil  war  with  us,  which  mufl  neceffarily  coft  her  more  than 
even  America  could  repay  her,  I  coJd  not  but  hope,  that  I 
was  miftaken,  and  that  our  military  preparations  might  be  a 
good  political  movement.     In  one,  thing,  however,  we  all 
agreed,  that,  as  the  forces  were  chiefly  to  be  raifed  in  New 
England,  it  would  be  extremely  ralh  and  imprudent  in  tHe 
fouthern  delegates  to  leave  them  in  the  poflTeffion  of  fo  for- 
midable a  power  without  any  check.     I  need  not  tell  you, 
diat  it  was  this  confideration  which,  if  I  am  to  be  credited, 
forely  againft  my  will,  determined  me  to  accept  of  the  com^ 
mand  of  this  army.     We  fet  out  with  bad  omens ;  I  was 
miftruftful  of  them  in  every  thing;  and  they  were  taught  to 
look  upan  me  with  jcaloufy.    This  foon  manifefted  Jtfelf  in 

B  2 


•    ti 


i| 


1 


(      12      ) 


k\ 


ill  i 


!       I 


fonniii^  tliem  to  anything  like  decent  dlfcipline.  But  I  have, 
long  ago,  pefteicd  you  m<Tc  than  enough  wiih  complainf^  on 
thi'  head.  I  knew  not,  ho  ^ever,  certainly,  tha  I  ha-J  oecn 
apno  nted  to  this  hii^h  f^ation  on!y  to  be  difgr-ice  and  ruined, 
till  ahout  t'-'c  mi  'dl  and  latter  end  i  f  l^ft  Fe'vuary;  when, 
coi  fr.T^y  to  my  v  iihe  ,  I  foirJ  it  abfolutely  n^ceffiry  that 
we  fiiD.il !  c  me  tnopen  ho(H!iticr  againft  our  feilo^v  luhje^ls 
in  ih  •  minillcrial  a  my.  DoubJefs  common  prudence  ro- 
qui  ed,  tSiit  w he  i  v  e  did  attempt  it  " e  fhoull,  if  peflible, 
d  1  it  fpeedi'y  anl  cfF^ftually  :  Ami,  having  all  the  reafon  in 
the  vvnjj  tv)  believe  that  large  armies  woi:ld  be  fent  againft 
u«:  e.ir'y  in  the  fummer,  I  rcl".  Ivcd,  coft  what  it  would,  to 
cut  c  fF  t'u)  e  already  here,  which  woald  have  given  us  fuch 
iii^ini  e  advintage«ovcr  any  future  reinforcements  (hat  might 
b  fen  ,  and  his  I  b  lieved  was  eafily  in  oar  powe.  ;  but, 
as  I  have  already  told  you,  nothing  is  to  be  done  with  our 
Ntw  EnglanJ  alii  ,  nl^f^  they  are  let  in  o  all  your  fecrets. 
I  coul J  not  advance  a  ft  -p  without  co.r.municating  my  inten-' 
tions  to  the  gen;lemen  in  the  civil  department;  a  thing  ever 
ruinous  in  \<ar :  It  foo"  got  wind,  as  I  had  forefcenj  and  it 
sp  eurcd,  tha  thj  General  of  the  enemy  was  apprifed  of  my 
("efign.  Stdl,  however,  I  pertvered  in  my  p  rpofes;  which, 
in  fpite  of  all  his  care  and  caution,  I  was  confident  muft  fuc- 
cs:d,  ;m.l  reduce  him  to  the  utmoft  exip^mity.  B  Jt  (as  every 
miii  ary  man  m  ft  i^now)  fo  capital  a  blow  was  not  to  be 
ftr  cic  without  the  lofs.  both  of  many  men,  and  much  pro- 
perty i  fjr  my  defign  was,  if  they  would  not  furrender  by  an 
hnnojiable  capi.ulation,  to  burn  the  town  about  their  ears, 
a^d  fo  rufh  in,  and  cut  them  off  in  their  at  empts  to  efcape 
t )  the  ftiips.  And  hi  ,  with  our  faperiori  y  of  numbers,  we 
certainly  could  have  efF(<Eled,  though,  no  doubt,  it  would 
hi-vj  betn  a  bloody  bufmL-f*,  if  they  had  not  fui rendered,  as 
I  think  they  »-  oulJ.  But  when,  as  I  was  obliged,  I  laid  this 
bt.f.i.e  the  Council  and  Rep  efentative?,  they  not  only  found 
a  thouiand  obj^iHiiuns  to  it,  but  abfolutely  reftrained  me,  and 


'^i";»!PWi".J AW'^  ■■■''  ^^^''*  ^^ J'''. ' WWfi 


pline.  But  I  have, 
A-iih  complainf;  on 
ly,  tha  I  ha-J  oecn 
fgr.ce    and  ruined, 

Fe'v'uary;  when, 
tely  n^ceffiry  that 
our  ftil;)vv  luhjeAs 
mnn  prudence  ro- 
fhoul'l,  if  peffible, 
ig  all  the  reafon  in 
:ld  be  fent  againfl: 

what  it  would,  to 
have  given  us  fuch 
rements  (hat  might 
r»  ojr  powe.  ;  but, 
be  done  with  our 
1  o  all  your  fecrets. 
nicating  my  inten-' 
lent ;  a  thing  ever 
lad  forefeen;  and  it 
f/is  apprifed  of  my 
f  p  rpofes;  which, 
confident  muft  fuc' 
ty.  Bjt  (as  every 
low  was  not  to  be 
n,  and  much  pro- 
lot  furrender  by  an 
n  about  their  ears, 

at  empts  to  efcape 
i  y  of  numbers,  we 
o  djubt,  it  u'ould 
not  fui  rendered,  as 

obliged,  I  laid  this 
hey  not  only  fcund 
retrained  me,  and 


(     »3    ) 

I  co'tl '  not  hr.v  ?ot  a  man  t'lat  wrti-H  hzva  0;one  on  what 
they  c  lied  To  J  Ip    a  ■  a  ""ohLmo :    Hl'iicc  was  I  under  a 
necifli  y  of"  procee  'inj  in  t'ut  po  ir,  fl  >   ,  and  unfoldier-like 
ma  n  r,  ^'  hich  not  only  j;jvc  them  .:n  opportunity  to  efcape, 
but  Sas  taii?h.   he  ti  fit  dt-rpi  c  u?.     There  is  no  forming  an 
idea  ot  tn    i  n|))  'unce  of  fcS  a  ftroke  at  that  conjuncture. 
If  any   'ing  'ip  ^i  •  ar  h  c  luld  hivc  made  America  independ- 
ent and  ^:l"  1  >i   ,  c'^'t  was  tVe  g  Idcrn  opportunity.     I  confcfs 
to  you,  I  nad    N'rked  my  imagination  up  to  fuch  a  pitch  of 
high    xpetfti  i(ji ,  I  ut  my  difappointmcnt  has  difpirited  me  in 
a  manner  I  nev^-.  cm  reove  .     Fnr,  from  that  moment,  I 
have  delpaired  o  or.r  ever  d)  n_j  any  thing  truly  great.     Any 
little  fleams   f  fnccefs,  or  lairer  profpefts  we  have  fince  had, 
ferve  but  t»>  make  o.ir  inferiority  the  more  confpicuous :    For 
what  wcidcntf!  can  fall  out  to  aggrandize  us,  who  can  be 
made  great  only  by  great  and  fpirited  efforts,  when  we  have 
(hev.n  that  we  wanted  both  the  underftanding  and  the  virtue 
to  purcHafe  to  ourfelves  immortal  glory  on  better  and  cheiper 
terms  than  ever  we  can  hops  hereafter  to  have  it  ?     But,  the 
Woift  remains  yet  to  be  told.     Some  of  thofe  very  men  who 
were  the  moit  forward  tJ  th\\  art  me  in  this  meafure,  had  dif- 
covsred  a  diiFerent  way  of  thinking  on  other  occuficns,  and, 
I  am  perfuaded,  that  were  the  queftion  pu  to  them  now,  as 
to  this  city  and  the  fouthern  regmient?,  I  fliould  not  hear  a 
diffbming  voice. — But,  let  me  fpare  you. 

After  all  this,  you  will  again,  I  doubt  not,  as  you  often 
have,  aik  why  I  continue  in  a  fuuarion  fo  dilagreeable  to  mef 
I  v/i(h  you  had  forborne  this  queftion,  the  truth  being,  that 
I  neither  am  able,  nor  very  willing  to  anfwer  it.  My  refo- 
lution  to  hold  it  out  as  long  as  I  can  is  dictated  by  my  fecU 
ings,  which  I  neither  can  defcribe  to  you,  nor  wholly  juftify 
on  paper;  but  which,  however,  I  find  it  impoffible  for  me 
to  difregard.  The  eyes  of  all  America,  perhaps  of  Eu.-ope, 
of  the  world  are  fixed  tm  nie.  It  has  been  our  policy,  (and> 
at  the  time,  I  thought  it  well  founded)   to  hold  out  falfe 


U\' 


j'ti 


,1 


'IB 


'IB 

•  40 


•  I? 


I     '' 


*  'i 


(    '4    ) 

lights  to  the  world.  Tlitre  are  not  a  hundred  men  in  Arne. 
rica  that  know  our  true  iituation ;  three  fourths  of  the  Cbn- 
grcfs  i'.felf  are  ignorant  of  ii ;  yourfeli  excepted,  here  lives  not 
a  man  at  all  acquainted  with  my  peculiar  circiimftance<:.  The 
world  looks  upon  us  as  in  pofllffion  of  an  army  all  animated 
with  the  pure  flame  of  liberty,  and  determined  to  die  rather 
than  not  be  free.  It  is  in  pofleflion  of  proof*,  .hat  it  is  fo, 
under  my  own  hand  :  I  have  always  fo  fpoken  of  it  and  Iftill 
do.  But,  you  kno.v  how  remote  in  my  judgment  all  thij> 
is  from  the  truth ;  though  I  am  not  fure  that  there  is  another 
man  in  the  army,  befides  myfelf,  that  thinks  fo.  I  fliould 
guefs,  however,  that  there  are  many.  Bu',  tied  up  as  my 
©wn  mouth  is,  it  is  little  to  be  wondered  at,  that  theirs  are  fo 
too,  at  leaft  to  me. 

Thus  circumflanced,  can  you  point  out  a  way  in  which 
it  is  pofllble  for  me  to  reiign,  jull  now,  as  it  were  on  the 
eve  of  aftion,  without  the  imputation  of  cowardice  ?  Thert 
is  nu  fuch  way.  Befides,  diffident  and  defponding  as  I  am, 
how  do  I  know,  that  it  is  not  fo  with  thofe  we  have  to  op.. 
pofe  ?  they  certainly  have  reafon.  The  events  of  war  de- 
pend on  a  thoufand  minutia,  without  the  ken  of  a  mere  by- 
ftander.  I  know  not  that  ths  commander  of  the  armies  of 
the  low  countries,  could  his  heart  have  been  read  as  you  do 
mine,  had  not  the  fame  fears,  and  the  fame  caufes  f«r  thenj 
that  I  have.  You  learn  not  this  from  the  hiftory,  nor  wai 
it  to  be  expelled  you  fliould  ;  yet,  he  fucceeded  at  laft  ; 
And,  who  knows,  what  an  over-ruling  Providence,  who 
often  brings  about  the  greatcft  revolutions  by  the  moft  un- 
likely means,  may  intend  for  America  ?  If  it  be  the  will  of 
God,  that  America  fliould  be  independent  of  Great  Britain, 
and  that  this  be  the  feafon  for  it,  even  I  and  thefe  unhopeftil 
men  around  may  not  be  thought  unworthy  inftruments  in  his 
hands.  And,  fliould  we  fucceed,  we  are  heroes,  and  im- 
mortalized beyond  even  thofe  of  former  times  ;  whereas 
difgracc  only,  and  intolerable  infamy  await  our  retreat.    In 


t\ 


red  men  in  Ame- 
irths  of  the  Cbn- 
ed,  here  lives  not 
:iimftances.  The 
irmy  all  animated 
incd  to  die  rather 
}f«,  '>h.it  it  is  fo, 
:n  of  it  and  I  ftill 
judgment  all  thij^ 
t  there  is  another 
nks  fo.  I  fliould 
i',  tied  up  as  my 
that  theirs  are  (9 

a  way  in  which 
a  it  were  on  the 
bvardice  ?  Ther« 
fponding  as  I  am, 
e  wc  have  to  op.. 
'cnts  of  war  dc- 
en  of  a  mere  by- 
'  of  the  armies  of 
n  read  as  you  do 
e  caufes  far  then^ 
hiftory,  nor  wa* 
licceeded  at  laft  ; 
Providence,  who 
by  the  moft  un- 
F  it  be  the  will  of 
of  Great  Britain, 
d  thefe  unhopeful 
nftruments  in  his 
heroes,  and  im- 
times  i  whereas 
our  retreat.    In 


<    '5    ) 

this  perfuafion,  I  refolve  to  go  011;  contented,  with  th3  glo- 
rio  s  Kino-  William,  to  fave  my  country,  or  die  in  the  laft 
<iitch. 

I  am,  my  dear  Lund, 

Your  faithful  Friend  and  Servant, 

G.  W. 


To  John  Parke  CttJfU,,  Efq.  at  :      Hon.  Bentdi^  Calvert" Sy 
Efq.  Mount  Airy.,  Maryland. 

My  very  dear  Jack, 
■¥rOU  have  exceedingly  obliged  me  by  your  letter  which  I 

received  by  yefterday's  poft.     It  difcovers  an  attention 
to  the  great  affairs  now  carrying  on,  and  an  information  con- 
cerning them,  which  I  own  to  you  I  had  not  given  you  cre- 
dit for.     Your  youth  and  inexperience  pleaded  your  excufe : 
and  though  you  gave  me  no  opportunity  to  praife  you  for  any 
a<Elive  e>  ertions,  I  paid  you  no  ordinary  compliments,  in  my 
own  mind,  for  your  modsfty  in  forbearing  to  meddle  with 
things  which  it  was  no  reproach  to  you  to  confcfs,  were  out 
of  your  reach.     Confidering  your  rank,  fortune,  and  educa- 
tion, whenever  it  is  proper  for  you  to  come  forward  on  the 
theatre,  it  muft  not  be  any  underpart  that  you  aft.     You  are, 
therefore,  certainly  in  the  right",  to  decline  taking  any  part 
at  all,  till  you  are  fit  for  a  firft  and  leading  character;    And 
you  have  my  full  and  perfect  approbation  of  your  refolution 
to  perfift  in  your  purpofc,  for  the  prcfent,  not  to  accept  of 
any  rank,  civil  or  military.     I  (cz  your  anxie  y,  l-;ft  the  prc- 
fent opportunity  for  fignalizing  yoivr  juft  love  for  your  coun- 
try fhould,  by  your  not  unnecwfliiry  cautions,  be  lufFcrcd  to 
flip  by  you,  unimpiovcd.     Your  ardour  is  commendable. 


*    ^^ 


I    . 


I 


I  « 


(  IS  ) 

and  far  be  it  from  me  to  clif.-ojra^s  in  jo\i  a  fpirit  I  'b  m'ich 
love.  But,  vviiilft  you  recain  thje  li).iourabb  principles, 
there  is  litth  danger  of  yoir  van  ino  oppjrtunities  lo  call 
them  forth  ino  ac^i  jn.  T.ie  nunant  )u<  en;srprii2  in  vhich 
ytjur  CO  nitry  is  engaged,  is  n  »t  t.)  be  accon^ili;!!  J  in  'his  or 
that  yea-.  If,  in  no  lo.iger  a  period  than  h.  fiege  of  Troy, 
we  bring  all  oar  mighty  fche.nes  to  bear,  it  will  be  the  gre''t- 
ell:  wo.k  that  ever  was  perfcifted  in  fo  little  a  tim;.  Y^n 
ha\>e  fet  your  hea  t,  you  tell  me,  on  a  mllirary  employment. 
This  is  the  ufual  bent  of  young  men ;  and,  as  it  was  my 
own,  it  w  ill  be  with  an  ill-grace  that  I  reprehend  it  in  you. 
But  with  the  experience  that  I  have  had  of  i%  I  (hould  be 
wanting  in  that  love  and  efteem  I  owe  you,  (hould  I  hefitate  to 
tell  you,  that,  as  your  father,  there  is  not  a  profeflion  you 
could  have  chofco  in  which  I  fhould  not  more  cordially  have 
concurred  with  you.  Yet,  I  love  arms ;  I  am  married  to  my 
fword,  as  well  as  to  your  moft  amiable  mother :  and,  herein 
is  my  witnes,  :hat  I  am  in  earncft  when  I  fay,  death  alone 
Ihall  divorce  me  fron  either.  I  am  not  fo  blindly  devoted, 
however,  to  my  profeffian,  as  not  to  fee  by  how  frail  a  tenure 
I  hold  the  little  reputation  I  have  in  it.  As  a  ftatefman,  as 
a  fenator,  i:  is  in  the  general  fufficient  that  you  mean  well, 
that  you  are  careful  to  qjalify  youifelf  to  form  a  right  judg- 
ment of  the  trui  in'erefts  of  your  country,  a.A  that,  with 
the  hnneft  impartiality  of  a  freeman,  you  have  ftill  exerted 
your  beft  endeavours  to  promote  thofe  interefts  :  But,  with 
a  foldier,  fuccefs  alone  is  merit;  and  there  is  nothing  that 
can  atone  for  the  want  of  ir.  The  woilJ  is  a  worfe  judge 
of  military  matters,  than  any  other.  It  would  aftonifli  you 
to  find,  on  a  minute  comparifon,  how  very  little  difference 
there  was  in  the  (kill  and  fpirit  which  guided  Braddock  and 
Wolfe  in  the  laft  anions  of  their  lives}  but,  how  different 
has  been  their  fate  ! — ^I  think  I  am  not  without  fomc  talents 
for  the  line  of  life  which  has  fallen  to  my  lot ;  but  oppofed, 
us  I  rauft  be,  by  men  probably,  of  infinitely  fuperior  fkilU 


riiiiT.iliirii  ii"irii"i'f(iMiui)'iiffliii;iiii?n>-!i 


(    '7    ) 


I  fplrit  I  'b  m'ich 
irabb  principles, 
i-jrtunities  to  call 
;srprii2  in  .vhich 
\^^\'i!h  J  in  'his  or 
u  fiege  of  Troy> 
A'ill  be  the  grct- 
tle  a  tim;.  Yjh 
:ary  employment, 
nd,  as  it  was  my 
irchend  it  in  you. 
of  i%  I  Iho  uld  be 
hould  I  hefitate  to 
a  profeflion  you 
)re  cordially  have 
m  married  to  my 
her :  and,  herein 
fay,  death  alone 
blindly  devoted, 
tow  frail  a  tenure 
s  a  ftatefman,  as 
t  you  mean  well, 
»rm  a  right  judg- 
',  A.A  that,  with 
lave  ftill  exerted 
refts  :  But,  with 
re  is  naihing  that 
is  a  worfe  judge 
ould  aftoniih  you 
y  little  difference 
:d  Braddock  and 
It,  how  different 
liout  fomc  talents 
)t;  but  oppofed, 
;ely  fuperior  fkillj 


and  cncompaffed  moreover  with  fuch  hofts  of  oihcr  diffisul- 
ties  and  difcouragements  as  I  air,  it.  is  not  mine  to  command 
Aiccefs.  And  when  either  my  co'emporaries,  or  future  hifto- 
rians,  ffiall  fit  in  judgment  on  my  condiift,  if,  haply,  ill  for- 
tune {hould  overtake  me,  feeing  our  milcarriages  only,  and 
having  neither  curiafity  nor  ability  to  inveftigate  the  thou- 
fand  caufes  which  led  to  them,  am  I  not  too  well  warranted 
in  concluding,  that  they  niil  be  attributed  to  mifmnnage- 
ment  ?  Have  I  not  then  reafon  to  n\  ilh  that  your  choice  had 
fdien  on  the  quieter  but  not  lefs  important  calling  of  a  pri- 
vate gentleman ;  in  which,  as  a  fenator,  you  might  have 
given  proof  of  your  abilities,  in  a  uay  in  which  fortune  would 
not  have  had  fo  great  a  fliare  ?  But  nutwithftanding  all  thi?, 
and  if,  after  all,  you  be  irrevocably  determined  to  try  your 
fortune  in  the  field,  and  you  can  gain  your  mother's  and  your 
wife's  confent,  I  here  give  it  you  under  my  hand,  that  you  (hall 
not  want  mine.  Moft  certai;ily  there  cannot  be  a  more  ho- 
nourable employment  i  and  if  (which  heaven  avert)  fortune 
fhould  declare  againft  you,  my  confolation  will  be,  that  T 
can-allure  myfetf,  you  wiU  deferve  to  be  fuccefsfuL  1  will, 
on  the  opening  of  the  next  campaign,  procure  you  an  ap- 
pointment to  the  command  of  a  regiment,  either  here,  or  in 
the  fouthern  wing.  And,  if  my  opinion  may  have  any 
weight  with  you,  you  will,  for  many  reafons,  prefer  the  be- 
ing ftationed  in  fome  of  the  fouthern  ftates.  There  is  no 
fear  of  its  being  an  inaffive  flation.  I  have  little  cxpe(51:a- 
tion  that  this  year  will  clofe  with  aught  confiderably  dccifive 
on  either  fide ;  and  if  our  enemies  be  sble  to  hold  out  ano- 
ther campaign,  it  is  aioft  likely  their  policy  v/ill  be,  by  means 
of  their  naval  fuperiority,  to  carry  on  a  kind  of  an  incurfivc 
war,  by  making  unexpe(fled  defcents  in  different  and  diflanC 
places.  Meanwhile,  permit  me  to  prefs  you  to  perfevere  in 
your  attention  to  military  matte;s.  The  manual  exercife, 
which  you  were  fo  juftly  diligent  to  learn  v/hilft  I  was  with 
yov,  is  but  the  A,  B,  C,  of  your  profeflion.     Neither  wUl 


i 


i''.(! 


"■■flw 


I 


l-/.*(^--^' 


-rfiip^^^lif  <BMi>. 


"■a '-'  jJA.'B 


"iw 


(      18      ) 

you  profit  (b  much  as  you  might  reafonably  expcA,  tiom  the 
Ihidy  of  thofc  authors,  who  have  written  profeffedly  on  the 
art  of  war.  This  is  like  the  learning  the  game  of  whift  by 
reading  Hoyle.  I  have  been  witncfs  to  the  mifchicvous  cf- 
f'c<5ls  of  it.  A  man,  book-lcarncd  only,  does  very  well  in 
the  ftill  fccncs  of  marchings  and  encampments.  But  when, 
in  the  various  buftles  of  a(flual  war,  a  caufc  arifes,  as  muft 
often  be  the  cafe,  not  delcribcd  in  his  books,  he  is  utterly  at 
a  lof"(.  I  would  not,  however,  have  you  to  undcrftand  me 
as  if  I  meant  to  difcouragc  your  reading  thcfc  books,  a'c  all  j 
fo  far  from  it,  I  would  have  you  read  them  very  often,  and 
make  yourfelf  acquainted  with  the  fubjeft  as  much  as  you 
can,  in  theory.  My  caution  meant  only  to  guard  you  againft 
placing  too  much  reliance  on  them.  Their  beft  commenta- 
tors, next  to  your  own  experience,  will  be  the  hiftorians  of 
Greece  and  Rome ;  which  it  is  your  hnppinefs  to  be  able  to 
read  in  the  originals.  But,  the  main  and  moft  efTential  qua- 
lification is  an  high  fenfe  of  honor,  an  elevation  of  fentiment, 
and  a  certain  dignified  flile  of  behaviour,  that  diflinguiflies, 
or  fhouid  diflinguifli,  a  foldier  from  every  other  man.  It  is 
a  fhame  indeed,  if  he  who  undertakes  to  command  others, 
has  not  firft  learned  to  command  himfclf.  I  will  not  endure 
any  thing  mean  or  fordid  either  in  your  principles,  or  your 
manners ;  having  determined,  if  it  were  left  with  me,  to  be 
as  ftrift  and  rigorous  in  thefe  particulars,  as  were  the  knights 
of  old,  when  a  candidate  was  to  be  inverted  with  the  orders 
of  chivalry.  I  cannot  diflociate  the  ideas  between  a  foldier 
.nnd  a  gentleman  :  and  however  common  it  may  be  to  give 
that  laft  appellation  to  perfons  of  every  charafter,  it  yet  con- 
veys to  me  an  idea  of  worths  I  want  words  to  exprcfs.  I 
am  not/oliclious  to  pay  you  compliments,  even  by  implica- 
tion ;  but,  I  may  cei  tainly  be  permitted  to  fay,  that  if  I  had 
not  known  you  to  be  a  gentleman,  you  never  fhouid  have 
had  my  cynfcnt  to  your  becoming  a  foldier. 


vJ 


I 


■iiiiiiiiiiii 


^  expert,  tioin  the 
profeffedly  on  the 
game  of  whift  by 
be  tnifchicvous  cF- 
locs  very  well  in 
cnts.  But  when, 
ife  arifes,  as  muft 
:s,  he  is  utterly  at 
to  underftand  me 
icfc  books,  a'c  all  j 
rji  very  often,  and 
b  as  much  as  you 
guard  you  againft 
r  beft  commenta- 
e  the  hiftorians  of 
Inefs  to  be  able  to 
noft  efTential  qua- 
ition  of  fentiment, 
that  diftinguiflies, 
other  man.  It  is 
command  others, 
I  will  not  endure 
rinciples,  or  your 
ft  with  me,  to  be 
i  were  the  knights 
;d  with  the  orders 
between  a  foldier 
it  may  be  to  give 
rafter,  it  yet  con- 
Js  to  exprefs.  I 
even  by  implica- 
fay,  that  if  I  had 
never  ihuuld  have 


(     19     ) 

Your  obfervations  on  this  important  contclV  arc  juft  and 
accurate,  and  difcover  a  reach  of  thought,  and  a  pcnctrafion 
beyond  what  I  had  cxpefted  of  you.     What  ytni  fay  on  the 
fubjea  of  independency  is  pcrfeftly  judicious,  an*!,  no  doubt, 
highly  worthy  of  all  our  moft  fcrious  confideration.     Yet,  I 
■  have  a  prefentiment,  that  it  will  take  place,  and  fiwcdily.— 
Open  and  unreferved  as  my  conduft  towards  you  has  ever 
been,  I  have  no  reluftance  to  confrfs  to  you,  that  the  mca- 
fure  is  diametrically  oppofite  to  my  judgment  •,  for  I  have  not 
yet  defpaired  of  an  honorable  reconciliation;  and  whiUt  I  can 
entertain  but  an  hope  of  that,  both  intercft  and  inclination 
lead  me  to  prefer  it  to  every  thing  elfc  upon  earth.     Human 
affairs  are  oddly  ordered.   To  obtain  what  ypu  moll  wifli  for, 
you  muft  often  nuke  ufe  of  means  you  the  leaft  approve  of  ; 
As   in  bargaining,   to  obtain  a  fair  and  equal   price,  you 
muft  frequently  a(k  more  than  you  wilh  to  take.  I  do  not  re- 
ally wilh  for  independence  ;    I  hope  there  are  few  who  do  ; 
but  I  have  never  heard  the  reafonings  of  thofe,  who  have  prov- 
ed that,  if  we  did  not  declare  for  it,  we  fhould  fail  to  obtain 
the  conftituti»nal  fubordination  to  which  wc  are  entitled, 
fairly  refuted.     I  would  not  have  you,  therefore,  haftily  con- 
clude that  if,  in  this  ftiugglc,  we  fall  fhort  of  every  thing  wc 
have  claimed,    we  are   Worfted:    Perhaps,  the  very  worft 
thing  that  could  befal  us,  is  that  we  fliould  gain  all.     I  do 
aflure  you  that,  in  my  opinion,  the  next-  ;,  i,.  irtune  to  that 
of  being  thruft  from  our  juft  rank  in  the  order  of  freemen, 
would  be  the  giving  us  up,  and  leaving  us  to  ourfelves.    But, 
this  Great  Britain  will  never  do,  volunta-ily  :    for,    if  ever 
(he  does,  whatever  may  become  of  us,  .rom  that  moment, 
flie  may  date  the  commencement  of  her  own  downfall. 

I  am  exceedingly  happy  in  the  becoming  moderation  which 
you  obferve  and  endeavour  to  introduce  towards  the  unhappy 
men  whofe  political  creeds  differ  from  ours.  But  for  this 
blot  in  her  fcutcheon,  thrown  on  her  by  too  many  of  her 
raih  and  unworthy  advocates,  by  a  contrary  conduft,  this 

C  2 


4| 


dW>^ 


(      iO      ) 

•  '       '  "  ,  ■  - 

effort  of  America  vvouUI  have  done  her  honour,  even  though 
flic  had  failed.  I  am  flioclcCsl  at  the  inftances  of  intolerance 
I  daily  hear  of,  and  have  no  power  to  prevent.  But,  like  the 
other  evils  of  war,  it  is  a  caUmity  that  unavoidably  grows 
out  of  fuch  a  convulfion ;  and  one  might  as  well  hope  to  ftcm 
the  fury  of  a  torrent,  as  to  give  laws  to  an  enraged  people. 
It  is  however,  the  duty  of  every  true  friend  to  liberty,  by 
every  gentle  and  conciliatory  means  in  his  power,  to  reftrain 
it.  And,  I  am  happy  to  find  this  fentiment  daily  becoming 
more  general  amongft  us.  All  things  confidered,  I  cannot 
but  think  it  not  a  little  to  our  honour,  that  things  have  not 
been  carried  to  a  ftill  greater  height  in  this  way. 

Remember  me  afFcJlionatcly  to  Nelly,  and  tell  her,  that 
though  I  fliould  be  happy  to  fee  her,  I  may  not  hope  for  that 
happinefs  fpeedily ;  as  the  dir>  of  arms,  1  imagine,  would  be 
but  unpleafiug  entertainment  to  her;  and  I  have  little  profpeA 
of  any  leifurc,  at  Icaft  before  we  go  into  winter  quarters.  I 
hope  Mr.  Calvert,  and  all  the  family  are  well  :  I  beg  to  be 
remembered  to  them.  I  will  write  to  your  mother  in  a  few 
days.  You  are  very  good  in  leaving  her  alone  as  little  as 
may  be.  Continue  to  write  to  me  frequently,  freely,  and 
fully  ;  the  hearing  f  my  deareft  friends'  and  family's  welfare 
being  the  only  true  happinefs  1  have  any  chance  to  enjoy  a- 
midft  the  perpctu.il  hurry  in  which  I  live. 
I  am,  my  dear  Jack, 

Your  very  aiFe<Slionate  Friend  and  Father, 
Geo.  Wafhington. 
June  1 8,  1776. 


:■;   !•>■ 


is       i 


^  'fL^Y-' 


;'^' 


»^Siri^i«Wi.i" 


ir,  even  though 
s  of  intolerance 
.  But,  like  the 
voidably  grows 
cl]  hope  to  ftem 
:nrage(l  people, 
d  to  liberty,  by 
wcr,  to  reftrain 
daily  becoming 
dcred,  I  cannot 
things  have  not 
ay, 

nd  tell  her,  that 
)ot  hope  for  that 
igine,  would  be 
vc  little  profpeA 
Iter  quarters.  I 
11 :  I  beg  to  be 
mother  in  a  few 
lone  as  little  as 
itly,  freely,  and 
family's  welfare 
knee  to  enjoy  a- 


id  and  Father, 
Wafhington. 


;^' 


(    ai     ) 

New-Tori:,  July  8,  1776. 

7i  Mr>  Lund  tyajhington,  at  Mount  Ftrnony  Fairfax  Countyt 

Virginia. 

Dear  Lund, 

TTIT'E  arc  ftill   going  on  with  all  imaginable  briftcncfs  and 
fucccfs  with  our  works,  which  I  think  are  already  im- 
pregnable.    It  would  really   aftonifti  you  to  fee  the  progrcft 
we  kave  made.     I  do  not  believe  that  all  hiftnry  can  furnifli 
a  precedent  of  fo  much  being  done  in  fo  little   time,    or  in  fo 
mafterly  a  manner,  where  you  had  fo  litilc  right  to  look  for 
confumrAate  flcill.     If,  in  every  thing  clfe,  we  could  but  come 
up  to  our  exertions  in  thefe  fortifications,   I  fliould  hardly 
know  how  to  doubt  the  judgment  of  thofe  who  think  that  we 
may  bid  defiance  to  the  world.     But,  I  know  not  how  it  is, 
I  am  diffident  of  cver^  thing.     Whilft  almoft  every  body  clfe 
feems  to  have  perfuaded   himfcif,   that  we  have  nothing   to 
fear,  I  alone  torment  myfelf  with  thinking  that  every  thing 
is  againft  us.     Even  from  thefe  very  works,  which  have  in- 
fpircd  us  with  fuch  confidence,  I  anticipate  only  misfortune 
and  difgrace.     By  this  time  the  die  is  cafl,   and  America  is 
authoritatively  declared  free  and  independent ;  and  unlefs  we 
can  be  contented  to  appear  ridiculous  in  the  eyes  of  all  the 
world,  we  muft  refolve  to  fuppopt  this  declaration  by  a  fuita- 
ble  conduct : — we  muft  fight  our  way  to  freedom  and  inde- 
pendency }  for  in  no  other  way,  fhall  we  be  permitted  to  ob- 
tain it,  farther  than  words. 

A  war,  therefore,  and  &  moft  ferious  one,  is  now  inevi- 
table. Next  to  good  finances,  which  it  is  not  my  province 
to  provide  for,  a  good  army  is,  doubtlefs,  a  main  requifite 
to  the  carrying  on  a  fuccefsful  war  ;  and  a  good  army,  is 
by  no  means  fecured,  as  fome  feem  to  reckon,  by  fecuring  a 
large  number  of  men.  We  want  foldiers,  and  between 
thefe,  and  raw,  undifciplined  men,  there  is  a  wide  difference. 


3itti<i»-  -• 


(  "  ) 

The  «|iaftion  then  i«,  how  arc  thcfc  raw  and  undifciplined 
men  to  be  t'ormfd  into  ntnn\  (bidicrs  ?  And  I  am  free  to 
y.ivc  it  as  my  opinion,  that  fo  far  from  contributing  to  thii, 
will  ftionj-hoMs,  fortified  pofls,  and  deep  intrcnchmcnts  be 
founJ,  that  they  will  have  a  dircd  contrary  cft'cdt.  To  be  a 
folJier,  is  tu  be  inured  to,  and  familiar  with  danger }  todare 
to  look  your  enemy  iti  the  face,  unflieltercd  and  expofcd  to 
their  fire,  and  even  when  repulfcd,  to  rally  again  with  undi- 
minifhed  fpiiir.  The  Indian  maxim  is,  that  it  is  equally 
your  duty  to  take  care  ofyourfclf,  and  to  annoy  your  enemy. 
To  a  general,  this  may  not  be  an  unufeful  caution  ;  but  I  will 
venture  to  jifllrr,  that  whenever  a  private  centincl  allows 
himfelfto  aft  on  this  principle,  the  odds  arc,  that,  in  the  mo- 
ment of  trial,  in  his  exceeding  folicitudc  not  to  forget  the 
former,  the  latter  will  be  but  little  attended  to.  Now  what, 
I  afk,  are  all  thefc  mighty  ditches  and  bread-works,  but  fo 
many  lefl'ons  and  admonitions  to  our  men  of  what  prodigious 
importance  it  is  to  takccaic  ofthcmfelves  ?  It  would  be  al- 
moii  worth  our  while  to  be  defeated,  if  it  were  only  to  train 
ii>  to  (land  fire,  and  to  bear  a  reverfc  of  fortune  with  a  de- 
cent maj2;nanimity.  If  it  had  not  been  for  this  ill-judged  hu- 
mour of  fighting  from  behind  a  fcreen,  the  19th  of  April,  and 
J  7th  of  June  lad:  year,  might  have  been  the  happieft  days  A- 
mcrica  cverfaw.  All  thefe  things  have  I,  again  and  again, 
rcprefentcd  to  my  mafters  ;  I  am  afhamed  to  fay,  to  how  lit- 
tle purpofc.  They  return  nic  anfwers  and  inftru^ions, 
which,  though  I  cannot  refute,  have  not  yet  convinced  what 
I  would  call  the  feelings  of  my  own  mind. 

This  day  Nveck,  the  enemy's  fleet  was  firft  defcrkd  off 
Sandy- Hook.  They  have  been  employed  fince  then  in  de- 
barking their  troops  on  Statcn-Ifland,  where  they  are  can- 
toned, as  far  as  I  can  judge,  in  a  very  uncompadt  and  un- 
guarded manner.  I  cannot  exadly  afcertain  their  number, 
but  I  have  reafon  to  believe,  tJiat  they  fall  fhort  of  (even 
thoufand.     It  is  more  extraordinary  ftill,  that;  I  am  not  able 


(    aj    ) 


iiid  undircipllned 
nd  I  am  free  to 
itributing  to  thii, 
intrcnchmcnts  be 
cft'cit.  To  be  a 
\  danger;  to  dare 
I  and  expofcd  to 
again  witK  undi- 
hat  it  is  equally 
noy  your  enemy. 
Lition  ',  but  I  will 

centinel  allows 
I  that,  in  the  mo- 
lot  to  forget  the 
:o.  Now  what, 
[t-works,  but  fo 
'  what  prodigious 

It  would  be  al- 
fCTC  only  to  train 
irtunc  with  a  dc- 
lis  ill-judged  hu- 
9th  of  April,  and 
happicft  days  A- 
again  and  again, 

0  fay,  to  how  lit- 
ind  inftru^ions, 
:  convinced  what 

firft  defcrkd  ofF 
fmce  then  in  de- 
re  they  are  can- 
compadl  and  un- 
in  their  number, 

1  fhort  of  kven 
at;  I  am  not  able 


to  Inform  you  «f  the  exatfl  numl>cr  of  forces  under  my  own 
command  :   I  fancy  however,  we  might  bring  into  the  field, 
at  thi.  place,  double  their  number  at  a  minute's  WHrniny  ( 
„n  1  with  this  I   peiiority  of  number?,  making  all  polliblc  al- 
lowaiicr";   for  our  other  ilif.idvantagcs,   onu  would  h.)pc;  \vr 
might  be  able  to  give  a  good  account  of  tlicm.     You,    who 
arc  fanguinc  in  the  extreme,  and  all  impatience,  will  t:igcrly 
aflc,  why  we  fufFercd  ihcm  to   land  unmolelKd,  and   to  re- 
main fo  ever  fince.     Wh»t  excellent  expeditions  you  firc-fulu 
generals  can  indantly  plan   and  execute  !     liut   you  forget 
that  they  arc  parted  on  an  iflanJ,  and  that  we  have  noway  at 
coming  at  them,  unlcfs  they  would  lend  us  their  fhips  and 
boat?,  which  I  have  not  prefumed  to  afk  of  them.     Aware, 
however,  of  the  importance  of  falling  on  them,  whilll  tl..  re 
is  a  chance  of  doing  it  with  fucccfs,  and  eic  they  become  a 
match  for  us,  by  reinfoicemei.ts  w  hich  they  daily  exoeit,    I 
have  formed  a  fcheme,  which,  at  leaft,  is  plaiifible,  and  pro- 
mifcs  fair  to  be  fuccefsful.     1  have  fubmittc  1!  it  to  Congref^ 
and  every  moment  expedt  their  aiifwei  ;  and  if  they  '.%  ill  bur 
fupport  me   with  alacrity,  and  in  good  earneft,  my  next,  I 
truft,  will  not  be  fo  defponding      I  cxpciSl  to  be  all  rea.ly  to 
put  my  plan  in  execution  on  Tucfday,   or  at  fartheft,   on 
Wcdnelday  night;  fo  that  probably,  at  the  very  moment  you 
are  reading  this,  we  may  be  engaged  in  a  very  diillrent  ler- 
vice.     You  will,  no  doubt,  be  impatient  to  hear  tVcm  me  as 
foonas  may  be,  after  Wednefday,  and  I   will  not  dilappoiiic 
you.     Meanwhile,  I  Ihull  not  need  to  tell  you,  that  end  h(»w 
it  will,  all  that  I  freely  chatter  to  you,  is  to  remain  a  profound 
fecret  to  every  body  clfc. 

Dodlor,  now  Brigadier-General  Mercer  is  here,  and  is  a 
great  comfort  tonic.  Like  myfelf,  he  wants  experience > 
but  he  is  very  {hi ewd  and  fenfible,  and  though  a  Scotfman, 
is  remarkably  humane  and  liberal.  I  have  coinmunicated  ih>: 
■whole  of  my  dcfign  to  him  alone  ;  and  am  not  aflAam^d  to 
own*  that  I  have  received  much  afliftance  fiom  him.     I  kijow 


^^   .     ,  —    iMitaiirij^-iiiiTTrtnr 


i    H    )  - 

not  how  it  may  turn  out ;  but  though  neither  he  nor  I  are 
very  apt  to  be  fanguine,  we  have  both  confefTed  to  be  fo  on 
this  occafion.  Animated,  however,  as  I  feel  myfelf  with 
the  near  prolpe<Et  of  at  length  doing  fomething,  not  unworthy 
the  high  rank  to  which  I  am  raifed,  I  own  to  you,  I  take  a 
ferious  plealure  in  it,  only  as  it  flatters  me  with  the  hope  of 
thereby  obtaining  a  fpeedier  and  happier  peace.  Let  us,  fince 
war  muft  be  our  lot,  diftinguifh  ourfelves  as  freemen  fhould, 
in  fields  of  blood;  ftill  remembering,  however,  that  we  light 
not  for  conqueft,  but  for  liberty. 

I  am  with  the  trueft  efteem, 

Dear  Lund,  ;^  ;   .»?f 

Your  faithful  Friend  and  Servant, 

G.  W. 


-<    "'ii 


^y 


1 J 


■  '  Neau-YorJt,  July  i6,  1776. 

To  Mr.  Lund  Wajhington^  i^c.  - 

Dear  Lund, 

TTOW  cruelly  are  all  my  hopes  in  one  fad  moment  blafted 
and  deftroyed  !  I  am  pofitively  ordered  to  wait  for  the 
enemy  in  our  lines  ;  and  leil  I  fliould  be  mad  enough  not  to 
obey  their  mandates,  not  a  fmgle  tittle  of  any  thing  I  had 
afked  for,  is  granted.  Thus  has  a  fecond  opportunity  of  ren- 
dering my  country  an  effential  fervice,  in  the  way  of  my  pro- 
feffion,  been  unwifely,  and  in  the  moft  moaifying  manner 
denied  me.  I  profefs,  I  hardly  know  how  to  bear  it  j  hav- 
ing to  regret  not  only,  that  two  opportunities,  fuch  as  may 
never  again  occur,  have  been  fufFered  to  pafs  by  us  unim- 
proved, but  that  none  can  happen  we  can  improve.    Ma- 


,  11 


'  t- -mf"; -tm-'i 


I 


"W 


er  he  nor  I  are 
fled  to  be  fo  on 
:el  myfelf  with 
[,  not  unworthy 
o  you,  I  take  a 
rith  the  hope  of 
:.  Let  us,  fince 
freemen  (hould, 
;r,  that  we  light 


vant. 


G.  W. 


tly  1 6,  1776. 


moment  blafted 
to  wait  for  the 
d  enough  not  to 
any  thing  I  had 
jortunity  of  ren- 
;  way  of  my  pro- 
^■ufying  manner 
to  bear  it  j  hav- 
es, fuch  as  may 
fs  by  us  unim- 
jniprove.    Ma- 


(    25    )    . 

nagcd  as  matters  arc,  we  neither  are,  nor  ever  fhall  be  a  mili- 
tary people  }  and  yet,  in  the  train  in  which  thin-s  sre  now 
put,  unlefs  we  are,  it  were  idiotifm  to  hope  for  either  free- 
dom or  independence. 

I  remember  well,  in  a  converfation  I  once  had  v/ith  a  friend, 
now  moft  unjuftly  as  well  as  unwifcly  driven  from  his  friends 
and  his  home,  on  the  fubjedt  of  monarchies  and  republics,  he 
objcded  to  the  unavoidable  flownefs  and  dilatorinefs  of  the 
executive  power  in  the  latter.  Aiming  to  anCuer  him  in 
his  own  way,  I  replied,  that  if  Popular  Councils  were  flow, 
they  yet  were  fure,  and  that  in  the  multitude  of  counfellors 
there  is  fafety.  His  anlwer  was  prophcticil.  If  ever  (he 
faid)  we  of  thcfe  countries  fhould  laftily  put  thefe  thin"^s  to 
the  proof,  it  would  be  found,  that  however  true  this  adage 
might  be  in  the  cabinet,  it  was  not  fo  in  the  field.  Convin- 
ced, by  melancholy  experience,  that  this  is  the  cafe,  and,  that 
without  fome  different  fyftcm,  we  fliall  but  expofe  ourfelves 
to  contempt  and  ruin,  I  refolve  this  evening  honeftly  and 
•penly  to. fay  fo  to  the  Congrefs.  1  will  go  farther,  and  add, 
that  if  they  cannot  in  faft,  as  well  as  in  appearance,  truft  me 
with  the. uncontrouled  command  of  their  army,  I  will  no 
longer  be  their  puppet.  Why  fhould  I  ?  it  being  now  mo- 
rally certain  that  by  going  on  as  we  have  hitherto  done,  I 
can  neither  bring  honour  nor  profit  to  thepi  j  and  yet  am  fure 
to  lofe  all  the  little  of  either  which  I  either  have,  or  might 
have,  poflefled.  ,      .  ., 

I  want  words  to  exprcfs  to  you  what  I  have  felt,  and  flill 
do  feel  on  this  difappointment  of  all  my  hopes  :  I  had  allowed 
myfelf  to  build  too  much  on  my  fcheme  !  and  I  fcem  to  be 
in  the  fituation  of  one  who  (hould  be  allowed  to  rife,  on  pur- 
pole  only  to  be  thrown  down.  The  enemy,  in  the  midll  of 
all  our  blufterings,  muft  defpife  us  ;  and  did  n(;t  (hame,  or 
fome  better  principle  reftrain  them,  I  fhould  be  but  little  fur- 
prifed  to  find  General  Howe,  even  with  his  prefcnc  liule 
handful  attacking  us, — yes,  attacking  us  in  our  entrench- 

B 


'tr'f  -it'Wi'.Tnijrfirif  — 


(      26     ) 

mcnts.     \Vliat  Ihall  I  do  ?    To  retreat  is  to  entail  oh  my- 
feU'  he  Ciirlcs  of  every  p  iblic  man  in  m  -  country ;  and  ro  go 
on  is  certain  ruin  and  Jifgrace.     Were  the  world  to   know 
only  mv  trwe  hifiorv  on  this  trying  .  ccafion,  I  perfuade  my- 
fclf,  all  the  candid  and  confid-  rate  in  it  ^^ould  acquit  me  of 
blame.     But  this  the  world  c;in  know  only  by  my  refolving 
to  tell  a  tale,  whi.li,  confidcnng  the  ranic  I  now  hold  in  it, 
muft  inv  Ive  my  country  in  inch  internal  broih  and  quarrels, 
as  muft  be  latal  to  the  glorious  caufe  in  which  we  have  em- 
barked ;    and  tl  i.,  I  truft,  I  (hall  have  the  virtue  never  to 
do,  be  my  private  wroii^s  and  (uffc-rings  ever  fo  great. 

I  have  fin  (hed  my  Icct.r  to  the  Congrcfs  to  whom  I  have 
at  hngth  fpoki-n  in  a  more  perempto:  y  tone,  than,  I  fancy, 
l!iey  h.tve  been  ulcd  to.     It  was  abfol.  t.ly  neceffary  ;  and  I 
{h'.uld  ill  de.crve  their  confidence,  if  through  any  m;ftaken 
complaifance  or  diffidence,  I  hcfitated  to  p  int  out   to  them 
the  mifchievous  confcquences  of  their  interference.     I  have 
al  o  infifted  on  precile  inftruftions  in  what  manner  I  am  to 
condua  my :elf  towards  the  Britifh  commiffi  oners,  if  pcrad- 
venture,  as  is  probable,  their  overtures  fhall  be  made  through 
me.     Their  anfwer  will  have  a  great  influence  on  all  my  fu- 
ture meaiures;   as  I  fhall  then  know,  (and  furely  ft  is  time 
I  fhould)  on  what  ground  I  ftand.     The  very  decided  and 
adventurous  meafures,  which  Congrcfsitfelf  has  juft  taken, « 
bla  with  the  mofl  important  confequences,  not  only  to   the 
community  at  large,  but  to  every  man  in  it.     The   tamper 
and  judgment  which  they  fhall  now  maniieft,  on  their  firft 
avowed  affumption  of  the  reins  of  government,  will  be  indi- 
cative of  what  we  may  hereafter  expeft.     Hoping  for  the 
bcrt    I  vet  will  watch  them  moft  carctully. 

'Tis  all  feaiful  expeft-tion  :  Every  man  I  fee  feems  tobe 

employed  in  preparing  himfelf  for  the  momentous  rencontre, 

which  every  man  perfuades  hinrfelf  mutt  fho:tly  come  on. 

There  is  an  oftenfible  cagernefs  and  impetuohty  amongft  us, 

■      I  could  willingly  have  excufed  :  1  fhould  have  teen  better 


0  entail  on  my- 
ntry ;  and  to  go 
world  to   know 

I  perfuade  my- 
Id  acquit  me  of 
by  my  refolring 
now  hold  in  it, 
oih  and  quarrels, 
ich  we  have  em- 
virtue  never  to 
;r  (b  great.      <■ 
to  whom  I  have 
le,  than,  I  fancy, 
iieceffary  ;   and  I 
ah  any  miftaken 
int  out  to  them 
rference.     I  have 
:  manner  I  am  to 
fi  oners,  if  pcrad- 

1  be  made  through 
ince  on  all  my  fu- 
d  furely  ft  is  time 
very  decided  and 
f  has  juft  taken,  is 
,  not  only  to  the 
it.  The  temper 
icft,  on  their  firft 
nent,  will  be  indi- 

Hoping  for  the 

in  I  fee  feems  to  be 
nentous  rencontre, 
(hotly  come  on. 
tiiofity  amongft  us, 
i  have  been  better 


■""■  (    «7    ) 

pieafed  with  that  fteady  compofurc  which  f^^^^f'^J^' 
L.      One  thins  is  in  our  favour,  the  paffions  of  o.ir  lol- 
Z.r?edlfuffere^,rof.bfKie.  being  conftantlyas^ated 
;7  .eftrangerumou^oro,her.     Happen  .  hat  w  I,  u^, 
hardly  be  more  extraordinary,  than  fume  one  or  other  s  per 
petually  prefaging;    And  we  have  already  performed  ,u  h 
Lso  v'alour,  ^hilft  we  have  no  enemies  to  engage  but 
rch  as  oar  own  imaginations  manufaaure  f  .r  us,  U.u  I  en       , 
not  but  hope  we  (hall  do  well,  merely  becaufe  no  on      ^e 
feems  to  entertain  a  fufpicion  that  we  (hall   not.     I    an  - 
vet  «.ive  no  r.uefs,  where  or  when  they  w.ll  approach  us  . 
Ion  lude,  hSuever,  that  they  will  hardly  ftir,  t,ll  t  e,  ar 
oined  by  all  the  men  they  exped.    Defpond-ng  as  I  am, 
lifh  they  were  arrived  ;  and  that,  at  th.s  moment,  they  u    e 
I  a  condition  to  attack  us :    They  may  gan.  by  procraflu^a- 
t\nn    but  we  are  fure  to  lofe.  _ 

'Twrl  to  Mrs.  Waihington  lately,  ^^^  ^^f^;^ 
week  or  two,  if  I  do  not  hear  of  her  ere  that  '"  P^dade  f  .a. 
as  furpriied  me,  that,  after  what  I  wrote,  ^he  (houldhe 
fuate.     I'beg  of  you  if  (he  be   (liU  fearful,   to    econd  my 
perfuafions  by  every  means  in  your  power,     txpofed  as  £n 
Lft  be  to  fo  many  interviews  with  people  tn  the  ar.y    aU 
Tf  whom  are  in  the  way  of  the  fmall-pox,  I  have  the  moft 
Lldful  apprehenftons  on  her  account.     1  know  not  well  how 
*e  notion  came  into  my  head,  but  it  is  certam    I  have     or 
feveraldays,  perfuaded  myfelf  that  (he  .s  already  moculated, 
and  that,  out  of  tendernefs  and  delicacy,  (he  forbears  to  m, 
form  me  of  it,  tUl  (he  can  alfo  inform  me  (he  is  out  of  dan- 

^i  note  fundry  particulars  in  your  letter,  to  whiA  I  am  not 
felicitous  to  give  you  anfwers.  Why,  ^^hen  you  have  foof- 
ten  alkedin  vain,  wUl  you  prefs  me  for  Congrefs-fecrets  ? 
Whatever  your  or  my  private  fentimonts  or  wi(hes  may  br, 
it  is  fufficient  for  us  that  we  know  the  iugheft  authonry  m 
«ur  country  has  dtclared  it  free  and  independent.     AU  tnat 

D  a 


.-■iftl«Mffjf%-SBjft*WMggS^-» 


^ 


(      7S      ) 

is  l:ft  for  us  to  do  is,  as  far  as  we  can,  to  fupport  this  decla- 
ration, v.  ithout  too  curioufly  enquiring  into  either  its  wifdotn 
or  if^  juftice.  I  firmly  believe,  that  the  advocates  for  this 
meafue,  meant  well ;  and  I  pay  them  but  an  ordinary  com- 
pliment in  thinking  that  they  were  fitter  to  deternnine  on  a 
point  of  this  fort  than  either  you  or  I  arc.  At  any  rate,  the 
wo  Id  mufl  .Ilo\\  it  to  be  a  fpiritcd  mcafure  ;  and  all  I  have  to 
wiih  for  is,  that  we  may  fupport  it  with  a  fuitable  fpirit, 
I  am,  my  Dear  L.ind, 

Yours  moft  afFeftionatcly,      '    -  ^^   -wr 

G.  W. 


New-Yorky  July  15,  1776. 
,         To  Mr.  Lund  Wajhingtorty  i^c. 
Dear  Lund,         '  ,...,.:!,- 

T  AS  r  Friday,  the  Britifh  fleet  was  feen  ofFStaten-Ifland  ; 
they  have  lince  been  employed,  uninterrupted  by  us,  iti 
debarking  their  men,  ftores,  &c.  and  as  they  muft  now,  I 
fliould  imagine,  be  pretty  nearly  as  ftrong  as  they  expedl  to 
be  this  campaign,  no  doubt  we  fliall  foon  hear  of  their  mo- 
tions. I  have  rcafon  to  believe,  their  firft  eflay  will  not  be 
on  this,  but  on  Long-Ifland;  where  injudicioufly,  I  think, 
we  alfo  are,  or  foon  fhall  be,  in  force.  Yet,  if  we  do  but  aft 
our  parts  as  becomes  us,  be  the  iffuc  as  it  may,  we  fhall  at 
lealt  give  them  no  pleafing  earneft  of  what  they  have  to  ex- 
peft  in  the  courfe  of  the  war.  But  there  is  no  rdying  on  any 
plan  that  is  to  be  executed  by  raw  men. 

You  have  heard  much  of  the  powers  with  which  commif- 


i«liMMiMMtli*> 


(       29      ) 


tport  this  decla- 
ither  its  wifdom 
vocates  for  this 
1  ordinary  corn- 
determine  on  a 
^t  any  rate,  the 
md  all  I  have  to 
itable  Tpirit. 


G.  W.  ** 


^h  15,  1776. 


c. 


IFStaten-Ifland; 
rupted  by  us,  in 
ley  muft  now,  I 
IS  they  expedl  to 
lear  of  their  mo- 
ifTay  will  not  be 
cioufly,  I  think, 
,  if  we  do  but  a<^ 
may,  we  fhall  at 
they  have  to  ex- 
10  rrJying  on  any 

ti  which  commif- 


fioners  were  to  be  invefted,  for  the  purpofe  of  fettling  this 
difpute.     Like  moft  other  things  belonging  to  it,  thefe  too 
have  made  a  much  greater  figure  in  talk,  than  they  do  in  fait. 
There  arc  but  two  commiffioners,  the  two  Howes  ;   ;ind 
their  powers  are  extremely  vague  and  undefined.     It  is  a  pity, 
methinks,  that  Congrefs  had  not  had  better  information  on 
this  fubjeft  ;  if  they  had,  it  is  to  be  prcfumed,  they  would 
not  have  precipitated  the  declaration  of  independence,  fo  as  to 
preclude  all  poffibility  of  negociation.     I  mny   venture  to 
whifper  in  your  car,  that  this  excepted,  I  firmly  believe,  that 
America  might  have  carried  every  other  point;  and  certainly, 
there  was  a  time,  when  this  would  have  been  deemed  a  con- 
queft  beyond  the  warmeft  wifhes  of  the  warmeft  American. 
Whether  in  the  prefcnt  pofture  of  affairs,  it  ftill  be  fo,  is  ano- 
ther queftion  ;  I  can  anfwer  only  for  myfelf,  that  I  would 
pot  even  afk  fo  much.     Different  men  will  judge  differently 
with  refpeft  to  this  conduft  on  the  part  of  Great-Britain  ;  I 
own  I  am  bewildered  and  puzzled  to  aecount  for  it.     After 
fuch  an  aftonifliing  expence  as  they  have  been  at,  and  with 
fuch  fair  profpefts  as  they  have  before  them  of  being  foon  in 
a  capacity  to  prefcribe  their  own  terms,  it  certainly  is  extraor- 
dinary to  find  them  condefcending  to  be  friends  w  ith  us,  on 
conditions  as  mortifying  and  degrading  to  them,  as  they  are 
flattering  to  us.     I  can  account  for  it  but  in  one  way ;  I  re- 
ally afcribe  it  to  their  magnanimity.    It  mufl  be  an  uiiplcafing 
conteft  to  the  nation  :   I  fay  the  nation  ;  for  however  expe- 
dient it  may  be  for  us  to  have  it  called  a  miniflerial  wa :,  no 
man  who  knows  any  thing  of  the  Englifli  government,  can 
imagine,  that  the  miniflry  could  have  moved  a  ftep  in  it,  if 
it  had  not  been  the  fenfe  of  the  natio.i.     It  mufl,  too,  be  :i 
mofl  fruitlefs  and  unprofitable  war ;  fince  tvcry  advantage 
they  can  gain,  muff:  in  faft  be  a  lofs,  as  being  gained  over 
themfelves.     No  wonder,  therefore,  they  have  been  flow  and 
backward  to  enter  into  it ;  no  wonder  they  would  be  glad  to 
be  well  rid  of  it,  on  almoft  any  terms.     I  have  ever  beon  of 


wfeftSi 


,! 


(    30    ) 

this  opinion,  and  it  was  this  perfiafion  alone  that  reconciled 
me  to  the  meafiire  of  taking  up  arms.  I  fee,  however,  the 
world  around  me  viewing  it  in  a  diffcenf  light ;  c\uy  con- 
ccffion  that  is  made  to  us,  they  attribute  to  timidity  onlv,  irtd 
defpoiidency.  I  own  appearances  make  for  this  conjedtue  j 
*nd,  no  doubt,  Congrcfs  ^^  ill  give  it  its  fan^fticn. 

I  have  not  adopted  this  opinion,  that  we  mi.  ht  have  wacc 
with  Great- Bri.ain,  on  terms  which  wo:. Id  once  h  ..c  hccn 
thought  mod  honorable,  on  flight  grounds.     YJte  c'ay,   g 
letter  was  brought  tome,  making  ovc.tures  for  antg  ci;.tioi», 
from  Lord  Howe.     I  had  expedted  it ;  and  h  id  my  inft  uc- 
tions.     It  was  addreflfed,  as  I  had  forcfcen,  to  nic  as  in  tny 
private  charafter  only.     On  the  ground  of  in(!epcrnd'.ncy,  if 
we  chofe  to  maintain  it,  this  was  not  a  mere  m.itter  of  p  mc- 
tilio ;  it  was  the  critical  moment  of  trial,  whether  we  n  nuld 
afliert,  or  recede  from  oar  pretenfions.     Never  did  men  fit  in 
debate  on  a  queftion  of  higher  magnitude :  and  ^>  hen  they  had 
once  determined  to  declare  their  country  free,  I  fee  n  t  why 
they  might  not  fupport  this  their  declaration,  by  this  as  well 
as  other  means.     A  contrary  conduft  would  certainly  have 
indicated  fome  want  of  firnuK.fs.     Yet,  I  confefs  to  you,  I 
felt  aukward  upon  the  occafion.     The  puniflilio  feemed,  and 
it  could  not  but  fcem,  to  be  my  own  ;  and  as  fuch  it  looked, 
methought,  as  though  I  were  proud  of  my  titles.     Put  your- 
felf  in  my  place,  and  fee  me,  longing  as  you  know  I  do  moft 
earneftly  for  peace,  yet  turning  my  back  on  a  gentleman, 
>vhom  I  had  reafon  to  confider  as  the  harbinger  of  it,  only 
becaufe  he  aflced  for  Mr.  and  not,  General  Washing- 
ton.    How  often  it  is  my  lot  to  find  it  my  indiipenftble  duty 
to  aft  a  part  contrary  to  both  my  own  fcntiments  and  incli- 
nations !     But,  if  I  miftake  not,  it  is  in  fuch  inftances  only, 
that,  properly  fpeaking,  we  manifeft  our  fortitude  and  mag- 
nanimity. 

I  fhall  aftonifli  you,  when  I  inform  you,  that  this  firft  re- 
huff  abated  not  the  ardour  of  the  noble  commiflioner.    His 


?'  f 


one  that  reconciled 

fee,  however,  the 
light }  e\  try  coii- 
)timi(J)>y  onlv,  irtd 
or  this  conjedtue  J 
intfticn. 

e  mi.  ht  have  ivacc 
Id  once  h  .e  hecn 
is.  Y^-lte  ('ay,  ^ 
5  for  a  tug  ri;.ti<M«, 
iid  h  id  rry  inft  uc- 
),  to  mc  as  in  tny 
it'  intiepcnd'-^ncy.  If 
re  m.itter  of  p  mc- 
whcther  we  n  nuld 
ever  did  men  fit  in 
and  ^>  hen  they  had 
ee,  I  fee  n  t  why 
>n,  by  this  as  well 
lid  certainly  have 

confefs  to  you,  I 
iifliliu  feemed,  and 
I  as  fuch  it  looked, 
titles.  Put  your- 
u  know  I  do  moft 

on  a  gentleman, 
inger  of  it,  only 
RAL  Washinc- 

indifpenfible  duty 
iments  and  incli- 
ch  inftances  only, 
>rtitude  and  mag> 

that  this  firft  rc- 
nmiHioner.    His 


f 


(    31     ) 

deputy  paid  its  a  fecond  vifit,  and  vouchfafed  to  honour  .-.: 
withthe  appelUvionof  General.    What  name  will  you  give  ic 
this  c  ,ndelcenfion  ?     I  own  it  hurt  me  ;  and  lias  well  nigh 
led  me  into  a  train  of  thinking  very  different  f.  wm  all  my  .01- 
mcr  opinions.     The  gentleman  who  b;  ought  the  mtfluige,  is 
a  Colonel  Patte.fon,  Adjutant  General,  and  a  fenfible,  weh- 
informed  man.     He  req-elled  to  fpcak  to  me  alone  ;  and  1 
was  glad  he  did.     After  the  firft  ialutations,  he  told  me  the 
putport  of  the  letter  which  had  been  refufed  ;  and  hiS  cr.aad 
now  was  to  afk  mc  to  point  out  the  moft  eligible  means  ot 
opening  a  negociation,  for  the  purpofc  of  accommodaling  the 
unhappy  difpute.     I  replied,  that  I  kne^v  but  of  one  vvay  ; 
and  that  was  by  application  to  Congicfi.     He  faid,  the  Kmg';; 
Commiffioners  would  have  no  objection  to  treating  with  the 
members  who  compofcd  ihe  Congrefs,  provided  only  that  they 
came  with  legal  authority  from  the  regular  LegiOatures  ot 
their  refpeaivc  countries.    I  anfwered,  they  doubtlefs  would 
eome  with  fuch  authority  >  as,  indeed,  they  could  come  with 
■no  other.     I  evidently  faw  his  drift  in  the  exception,  as  he  did 
mine  :  and  to  put  a  flop  to  all  poffibility  of  miftakc,  he  de- 
clai'ed  it  impoffible  for  his  mafters  ever  to  acknowledge  the 
Congrefs,  as  fuch,  a  legal,  and  conftitutional  body  of  men  ; 
and  as  it  feemcd  to  be  rather  a  punctilio  of  pride,  than  of  any 
^real  importance,  he  hoped  it  might  be  waved.     I  ftared  :  How, 
Sir,  have  you  not  already  acknowledged  the  powers  of  Con- 
igrefs,  by  acknowledging  the  honourable  rank  I  hold,  and 
which  I  hold  from  them,  and  them  only  ?    That,  faid  he,  was 
,the  cphceiTion  merely  of  politenefs ;  andmide  for  the  purpofe 
orily  of  getting  accefs  tome;  and  he  was  perfuaded,  I  was 
too  fenfible  a  man  to  lay  any  .ftrefs  on  fo  mere  a  triHe  ;   I 
tha-  ked  him  forhis  compliment,  but  aflurcd  him,  that  I  meant 
to  lay  the  moft  fcrious  ftrefs  on  it.     If  he  really  had  had  that 
pinion  of  my  underftanding  which  he  was  plcafed  then  to 
exprefs,  he  muft  have  fuppofcd,  that  though  a  trifle  in  itlelG 
it  ceafed  to  be  fo  after  I  had  made  a  point  of"  it.        , 


^r'iiu'w  rt'C'ii'l'i'  'Hi-Wi-'t-i  I  ''  '  """ 


u 


(    32    ) 

Words  could  not  have  told  him  more  ftrongly  that  our  re- 
folutions  were  to  aflert  and  maintain  our  independency.     And 

ifthccommi/rionersofthc  King  ofGreat-Britainfound  them- 
Jllvcs  cithei  unable  or  unwilling  to  give  up  this  as  a  preli- 
niin.ry  aiticic,  they  and  he  muft  pardon  mc  for  faying,  that 
I  could  but  tliink  them  very  idly  employed  in  foliciting  an 
interview  with  me.     On  this  he  prepared  to  take  his  leave, 
h.ft  adding  with  a  degree  of  fliarpnefs  and  animation,  that  I 
own  attcatd  inc  ;    Sir,  faid  he,  you  are  pleafcd  to  be  cavalier 
vvjih  mc  ;  I  confider  you  as  a  well-meaning— I  wilh  I  could 
fay,  well-informed  man  ;  yet,  I  am  miftaken,  if  your  head,  as 
well  as  your  heart,  would  not,  at  this  moment,  didate  a  very 
difFcrcnt  language.    There  may  be  heroifm,  for  ought  I  know, 
in  dcfperatcly  rcfolving  to  go  all  lengths  with  the  men  with 
>vhom  you  have  conneded  yourfclfj  but  it  is  madnefs  :  and 
you  may  be  ihankfuJ,  if  pofterity  gives  no  worfe  a  name  to  a 
man  who  has  no  judgment  of  his  own.     Wrong,  Sir,  your 
judgment  no  longer.     We  certainly  have  ftooped  as  low  as 
the  proudeft  wrong-head  among  you  could  aflc  us  j  but,  if  you 
really  think,  as  you  fecm  to  afFeft  to  do,  tha:  we  have  made 
thcfc  overtures  either  from  meannefs,  from  a  diftruft  of  our 
caufe,  or  our  ability  to  make  good  our  juft  claims,  you  are 
out  m  all  your  reckoning.    That  the  mean  and  narrow-mind^ 
cd  leaders  of  your  councils  may  difTeminate  fuch  opinions,  in 
your  unhappy  coumry,  I  can  eafily  fuppofe  j  but  remember. 
Sir,  you,  and  your  party,  owe  fome  account  to  the  world  ! 
and  when  the  world  fhall  come  to  know  your  infatuated  in- 
folence  in  the  inftance  before  us,  as  know  it  they  muft,  think 
how  you  will  excufe  yourfelves  ?     I  replied  with  no  leh 
warmth,  nor,  I  truft,  dignity.     I  was,  indeed,  ftung :  for  after 
once  having  owned  me  as  a  General,  you  muft  confefs  there 
was  fomething  Angularly  contemptuous  in  prefuming  thus  to 
fchool  me.     A  few  perfonal  civilities  put  an  end  to  the  con- 
ference. 


'-Jf-i   mUmf     f  mwnri 


■I  I  III  I  u  lyi  ■n|f»ii»w»^i^ 


ongly  that  our re- 
ependency.     And 
ritain  found  them- 
>  this,  as  a  preli- 
c  for  faying,  that 
d  in  foliciting  an 
to  take  his  leave, 
inimation,  that  I 
fed  to  be  cavalier 
— I  wilh  I  could 
i>  if  your  head,  as 
nt,  didlate  a  very 
or  ought  I  know, 
th  the  men  with 
is  madnefs :  and 
vorfc  a  name  to  a 
'rong.  Sir,  your 
ooped  as  low  as 
cus;  but,  if  you 
'-  we  have  made 
a  diftruft  of  our 
claims,  you  are 
id  narrow-mind^ 
iich  opinions,  in 
but  remember, 
to  the  world  f 
ir  infatuated  in- 
hey  muft,  think 
rd  with  no  leis 
ftung:  for  after 
ift  confefs  there 
:fuming  thus  to 
end  to  the  con< 


(     33     ) 

I  have  tranfmitteda  faithful  account  of  it  to  Congrcfs  i  Init, 
as  I  can  hardly  fuppofe  they  will  jud^c  it  expedient  to  make 
it  public,  I  thought  I  owed  to  you,  :  wholly  to  difa'ipoiut 
your  curiofity.  You  will  not,  however,  nccJ  mc  to  caution 
you  to  be  fccret,  as  well  on  this  as  on  other  things,  which  I 
write  to  you. 

One  thing  more  I  muft  not  omit  to  mention  to  you.  It 
my  conference  with  Colonel  Patterfoii,  I  thought  I  coiiM  Jif- 
cover  that  it  was  intended  I  fliould  be  imprefTcd  with  a  pcr- 
fuafion  that  the  commiffioncrs  thought  not  unfavourably  of 
our  pretenfions,  as  urged  in  the  beginning  of  the  difputc. 
This  is  to  be  accounted  for :  They  arc  whigs ;  and  if  I  am 
rightly  informed,  the  General  owes  his  feat  in  Parliament  to 
the  intereft  of  the  diflenters.  But  why  approve  of  our  firft 
pretenfions  only  ?  Surely  if  wc  were  then  right,  wc  are  not 
now  wrong  :  I  mean  as  to  'what  we  have  a  right  to,  by  the 
principles  of  the  conftitution ;  the  expediency  of  our  mcafures 
is  now  out  of  queftion.  I  cannot  diflbciate  the  ideas  between 
our  having  a  right  of  refiftance  in  the  cafe  of  taxation,  and 
the  fame  right  in  the  cafe  of  legiflating  for  us.  You  know  I 
am  no  deep  cafuift  in  political  fpeculations,  but  having  hap- 
pily been  brought  up  in  revolution  principles,  I  thought  I 
trod  furely  when  I  traced  the  footfteps  of  thofe  venerable 
men.  Wonderful  I  Thefe  too  are  the  principles  of  our  op- 
ponents; fo  that  all  our  misfortune  and  fault  is  the  having 
put  in  praftice  the  very  tenets  which  they  profefs  to  embrace. 

But  I  ihall  exhauft  your  patience ;  which  I  (hould  not  do, 
forefeeing  as  i  do,  that  I  (hall,  hereafcer,  have  occafion  to  put 
it  to  the  trial. 

I  am  with  the  trueft  regard. 
Dear  Lund, 

Yours,  &c. 

G.  W. 


(    34    ) 

New-Tor kf  July  22,  1 7  76. 

To  Mr.  Lund  Wnjhington^  if«. 

T  WISH  I  coulJ  fny  I  thorotirxhly  approved  of  all  the  new 
iV:Milaiions  in  the  new  inlHt'ition  of  government  in  my 
DJtivc  ft.itc.     It  could,  liowcvcr,  hardly  h.ivc  been  cxpeftcd, 
that  a  reformation  (o  capital  and  cumprthenfive  ihould  be  per- 
fect at  firft ;  the  wonder  is,  it  is  nj:  flill  more  exceptionable. 
My  heart  glows  with  unulu.d  warmin,  when  I  advert,  as  1 
often  do,  to  that  pure  and  difintcreltcd  ardour  which  muft 
h;ive  animated  the  bulk  of  my  countrymen  throughout  the 
wholcofthis  controvcrfy.    There  may  bee  ccptions  amongft 
u>f  and,  no  loubt,  there  are  ;  but  it  is  not  fair  to  infer  this 
from  our  an~<jn]monimpetuofity  and  violence.   This  one  would 
v.'iih.  rcltrr.mcd,  but,  by  no  means  extirpated  ;  for  is  it  not 
ihe  efFecl  of  a  highly  agitated  public  fpirit  j  the  mere  efFervef- 
cence  of  good  principles  thrown  into  a  ftate  of  ftrong  fer- 
mrniadon  ?    And,  furely,  even  precipitancy  is  preferable  to 
the  fpirit-brcaking  cautions  of  chill  defpondency.     Yet  I  am 
no  advocate,  in  general,  either  for  rafli  meafitres,  or  rafh  men; 
but  at  fuch  a  conjundture  as  this,  men  had  nccdtobe  ftimu- 
latcd  by  fomc  more  active  principle  than  cool  and  fobcr  rea- 
ion.     They  muft  be  enthulufts,  ar  they  will  continue  to  be 
flaves. 

I  give  this  in  anfwcr  to  my  friend  Mr.  Carter's  objedlions 
to  the  firlt  procedures  of  the  new  government.  No  doubt, 
Henry  is,  in  many  refpccls,  the  unfitteft  man  in  the  ftate  for 
Governor  of  V^irginia.  He  has  no  property,  no  learning, 
but  little  good  fenle,  and  ftill  lefs  virtue  or  public  fpiritj  bat 
lie  is  the  idol  of  the  people;  aiu!,  ai  it  is  by  their  means  only 
"  that  you  can  hope  10  elFeJt  the  grand  idicmes  which  you  have 
meditated,  you  muft  humour  thein,  and  indulge  them  with 
their  rattle.     They  will  fojn  tire  of  hinvj  and  the  oppoitu- 


"^ 


"»«l" 


tly  22,  1776. 


•x\  of  all  the  new 
vcriiment  in  my 
c  been  expelled, 
c  ihould  be  per- 
c  exceptionable. 
:a  I  advert,  ns  I 
»ur  "Which  muft 

throughout  the 
ccptions  amongft 
fair  to  infer  this 

This  one  would 
Led  i  for  is  it  not 
he  mere  effervef- 
te  of  flrong  fer- 
y  is  preferable  to 
ency.  Yet  I  am 
itres,  or  rafh  men; 
need  to  be  ftimu- 
)ol  and  fuber  rea- 
ill  continue  to  be 

barter's  objecElions 
lent.  No  doubt, 
in  in  the  flate  for 
erty,  no  learning, 
public  fpiritj  bat 
I  their  means  only 
cs  which  you  have 
ndulge  them  with 
and  the  opportu- 


(  35  r    . 

nity  muft  then  be  watched,  gently  to  lead  them  (o  a  cr 
choice  ;  for  they  may  be  led  thoiis^h  they  cannot  '  tn. 

And  thnugh  it  be,  alas  !   but  loo  true,  that  they  oftrn  kr 

their  real  intertft's,  I  am  of  opinion  they  never  niift.ilvc  iheni 
lonjj.  Sooner  or  latei ,  they  will  judge  and  a^t  fiom  their  fet- 
tled feelings ;  and  thefc,  I  take  it,  are  generally  fomulcd  in 
their  fettled  mtcrcft?.  When  great  enterprizcs  arc  ti>  hs  per- 
formed, v/e  may  well  difpcnfc  n  ith  foinc  lirflc  errors  in  j'ldg- 
mcnt ;  when  without  that,  we  havi,  in  its  Head,  \\v.\t  which 
perhaps  wecoulJ  not  have  with  it;  I  mean  that  uMiiifc'plincd 
ardour  which  is  iiifiniicly  bctier  nd.ipted  to  our  purpofcs.    \ 

There  cannot  be  a  more  ftrilcin;^  inflancc  ihr.t  tl-.c  judg- 
ment of  the  people  may,  in  general,  be  fifely  trufml,  in  llic 
long  run,  than  is  to  be  met  with  in  V'irginla.  Very  fetv 
countries  have  to  boafl  of  more  men  of  refpciilahlo  undcr- 
ftandings  j  I  know  of  none  that  can  produce  a  familv,  all  <  f 
them  dittinguifticd  as  clever  men,  like  our  Lee«.  Tley  arc 
all  of  them  the  very  men  one  would  wifli  for,  to  take  t!i'j  lead 
of  a  willing  multitude ;  for,  they  are  certainly  men  of  fhininu; 
talents,  and  their  talents  are  of  that  particular  kind  which 
ufually  render  men  popular.  No  men  were  ever  more  fo, 
than  the  men  in  qucftion  once  were.  It  is  obviou|,  this  is 
no  loKgcr  the  cafe  ;  and  the  rcafon  muft  be  thi\t  they  are  no 
longer  worthy  of  it.  With  all  their  clcverncfs,  they  a;  e  fcl- 
fifti  in  the  extreme.  The  people,  at  length,  have  found  this 
out;  or,  no  doubt,  R.  H.  Lee  would  have  now  been  gover- 
nor, the  grand  objeft  of  all  liis  aims. 

You  would  be  mortified  to  hear  thj  criticiTms  which  are 
common  here  on  Henry's  inauguration  fpeech.  It  i^,  indeed, 
a  poor  and  pitiful  performance  ;  and  yet  I  can  believe,  th;it 
fet  off  by  his  fmooth  and  oily  delivery,  it  would  appear  cle- 
ver when  he  fpoke  it.  Why  did  he  not  a(k  Mr.  Page  to 
prepare  it  for  him  ?  There  is  not  a  man  in  America  more 
capable.  The  counfcllors  of  ftatc  arc  certainly  iireproaclia- 
ble,  and  will  do  honour  to  thofe  who  appointed  thcvn.     I  am 

E  2 


l'  • 


(    36    ) 

particularly  pleafed  with  the  fuccefs  of  my  honeft  brother-in- 
law,  Bat.  DanJriJgc  ;  and  the  plcafureis  not  Icflenedby  the 
ufluraiicc  he  makes  mc,  that  my  letters  were  ferviccabia  to 
him;  there  being  but  few  men  whom  I  love  more  than  I  do 
him.  As  you  arc  foon  to  go  down  the  country,  you  will  foe 
hin;  and  therefore  fparc  mc  the  trouble  of  writing  p'  ticu- 
larly  to  him.  My  friends  muft  now  be  fo  indulgent  to  me, 
as  to  wave  the  matter  of  compliment ;  I  think  myfclf  happ)i, 
whenever  I  can  write,  as  I  (hould,  on  urgent  bulinefs.  You 
know  how  ticklifh  my  fituation  is  ;  little  as  one  would  think, 
there  is  to  be  envied  in  it,  I  yet  am  envied.  And  though,  in 
all  good  rcafuti,  their  fears  (hould  take  a  dirc(fl  contra  y  courfe, 
there  arc  who  are  forever  fuggeftingfufpicionsandjealonfies 
of  the  army  and  its  commander.  My  own  heart  aflfuies  me> 
I  mean  them  no  ill  ;  however,  if  1  really  have  the  influence 
and  afcendcncy  which  they  fuppofe,  I  will,  for  their  fakes  as 
well  as  my  own,  hereafter  maintain  it  at  fome  little  coft.  A 
thoufand  confidcrations  determine  me  to  drain  every  nerve 
to  prevent  the  army's  being  under  any  other  controul,  whilft 
I  live.  Let  a  perfuafion  of  the  ncceflity  of  this,  if  occafion 
ihould  arife,  be  feafonably  urged  in  my  native  ftatc  :  and,  in 
the  mean  while,  let  fume  more  than  ordinary  pains  be  taken 
to  make  mc  popular.  Their  own  honor  and  intereft  are  both 
concerned  in  my  being  fo.  Shew  this  to  Mr.  Dandridge ; 
and,  as  you  both  can  enter  into  my  meaning,  even  from  the 
moft  diftant  hints,  I  can  reft  fatisfied,  that  you  will  do  every 
thin*  I  wilh  you. 

We  have  lately  had  a  general  review  ;  and  I  have  much 
pleafure  in  informing  you,  that  we  made  a  better  appearance, 
and  went  through  oui  exercifes  more  like  foldiers,  than  I  had 
expected.  The  Southern  ftates  are  rafti  and  blameable  in 
the  judgment  they  generally  form  of  their  brethren  of  the  four 
New-England  ftates ;  I  do  alTure  you,  with  all  my  partiality 
for  my  own  countrymen,  and  prejudices  againft  them,  I  can- 
not but  confider  them  as  the  Rower  of  the  American  7>rmy. 


''^:. 


mmm 


loncft  brother-in- 
lot  Icflened  by  the 
^ere  ferviccablo  to 
le  more  than  I  do 
iiitry,  you  will  fee 
'  writing  pi  ticu- 

indulgent  to  me, 
inic  myfelf  happ^i, 
nt  bufinefs.    You 

one  would  think, 
And  though,  in 
fl  contra  y  courfe, 
ions  and  jealoufies 
1  heart  aflutes  me, 
lave  the  influence 
for  their  fakes  as 
ne  little  coft.  A 
train  every  nerve 
r  controu],  whilft 
f  this,  if  occarion 
vc  ftatc  :  and,  in 
ry  pains  be  taken 
]  intereft  are  both 

Mr.  Dandridge ; 
ig,  even  from  the 
frou  will  do  every 

and  I  have  much 
letter  appearance, 
}ldiers,  than  I  had 
and  blameable  in 
ethren  of  the  four 
1  all  my  partiality 
linft  them,  I  can- 
American  7>rmy. 


-411,.,  JP 


{     V    ) 

They  are  a  ftrong,  vigorous,  aiul  liardy  pcopli',  uuirrJ  to  la- 
bour and  toil  J   which  .»ur  people  IclJoni  ar  •.     And  though 
our  hot  and  eager  fpirits  may,  i.eihap^,fuit  bettei  in  a  CuddcM 
and  defperate  cntcrpri/.e  ;  yet  in  the  way  in  which  wars  arc 
now  carried  on,  you  muft  look  for  permanent  advantage*  only 
from  that  patient  and  per'cveriiig  temper,  whieh  is  the  rclult 
of  a  life  oflahour.     The  Ncw-Englandei  s  are  cool,  confide- 
rate  and  Icnfible  ;  whillt  wc  are  all  fire  aud  fury ;   like  their 
climate,   they  maintain  an  equal  temperature,  whereas  wc 
cannot  fhin-,  but  wc  burn.     They  have  an  uniformity  and 
ftabihty  (,f  char.i(Jtcr,  to  which  the  people  of  no  other  ftates 
have  any  pretenlions -,  hence  theymulV,  and  will  always  prc- 
ferve  their  influence  in  this  great  Empire.     Were  it  not  for 
the  drawbacks  and  thtj  difadvantagfs,  which  the  influence  of 
their  popular  opinions  on  the  fubje^  of  goveriimcnr,  have  on 
their  army,  they  foon  might,  and  probably  wouLi,  give  law 
to  it.     If  .General  Putnam  had  the  talents  of  Mr.  S.  Adam--, 
or  Mr.  Adams  had  his,  perhaps,  even  at  this  moment,  this 
had  not  been  matter  of  conjc-aiirc.     But,  ruUiam  is  a  plain, 
blunt,  undcligning  old  fellow,  whofe  viev,-s  reach  no  further 
than  the  duties  of  his  profcflion.     H^;  is,  in.lced,  very  igno- 
rant i  yet,  I  find  him  a  ufcful  officer  ;  and  cb.icfly  becaufo  iv,- 
neither  plagues  me,  nor  others,  with  vvrangling  claims  of  pri- 
vileges.    I  owe  him  too  no  fmall  acknowledgments  for  the 
fairncfs  of  his  accounts.     I  could  open  to  you  fume  ftranjjc 
fcenes  in  this  way.     Some  people  feem  to  ha-e  gotxn  fi:cli 
a  habit  of  cheating  government,  that,  though  llifficicntly  con- 
fcien'ious  in  other  refpeas,  they  really  are  farlefs  fcrupulous 
in  iheir  maimer  of  charging  than,  I  think,  beCiimcs  them. — 
But,  as  I  have  often  told  you,  General  Mercer  is  the  man,  on 
whom  thefe  ftates  muft  reft  their  hopes.     The  character  that 
one  of  his  countrymen  gave  to  the  Pretender,  fits  himcxaflly; 
«'  He  is  the  moft  cautious  man  I  ever  faw,  not  to  be  a  co\s'- 
ard  i  and  the  braveft  not  to  be  rafh."     In  my  judgment,  he 
is  not  inferior  evv-n  to  General  Lee,  in  military  knowledge  j 


jj^-^MiiMr' 


(    38    ) 

and,  in  almoft  every  thing  die,  he  is  infinitely  his  fi-prrior. 
Yet  the  overbearing  virtues  of  this  laft  named  gentleman  are 
uleful  to  us,  efpecially  at  o  u  feiiing  out :  we  wanted  not  the 
fober  and  flow  dcdudions  of  argument  and  reafon  :  and  Lee, 
like  the  author  of  Common  Senfc,  has  talents  perfectly  formed 
to  dazzle  and  confound. 

I  thank  you  for  your  care  in  making  the  remittances  you 
mention  to  McfTrs.  Carey  and  Co.  I  fmcerely  \vi(h  they  may 
arrive  fafe ;  as  I  certainly  ov/e  it  to  them,  to  take  every  ftcp 
in  my  power  to  make  them  eafy.  There  is  a  pleafure  in  do- 
ing as  one  ought,  in  little  as  well  as  great  affairs  ;  but,  in  my 
prefent  circumftances,  I  fhould  often  want  this  pleafure,  were 
it  not  for  your  afFeftionate  affiduity,  and  truly  friendly  atten- 
tion. God  blefs  you,  my  dear  friend».for  every  inftance  of 
your  care  and  concern  for  me !        :•, ,  k: 

'    '  I  am,  &c. 


June  14,  1776. 
To   Mrs.  JFaJh'mgton. 

My  DEAREST  Life  and  Love, 

"you  have  hurt  me,  I  know  not  how  much,  by  the  infmu- 
ation  in  your  laft,  that  my  letters  to  you  have  lately  been 
lefs  frequeiit,  becaufe  I  have  felt  lefs  concern  for  you.  The 
fufpicion  i»  moft  unjuft  ; — may  I  not  add,  it  is  moft  unkind? 
Have  we  lived,  now  almoft  a  fcore  of  years,  in  the  clofeftand 
•  deareft  conjugal  intimacy  to  fo  little  purpofe  that,  on  an  ap- 
pearance only  of  inattention  to  you,  and  which  you  might 
have  accounted  for  in  a  thoufand  ways  more  natural  and  more 


#^ 


tely  his  fupprior. 
icd  gentleman  are 
'c  wanted  not  the 
reafon  :  and  Lee, 
i  perfeftly  formed 

remittances  you 
y  ^vifh  they  may 
0  take  every  ftcp 

a  pleafure  in  do- 
'airs  ;  but,  in  my 
[lis  pleafure,  were 
ly  friendly  atten- 
:very  inftance  of 


G.  W. 


ne  14,  1776,  - 


h,  by  the  inHnu- 
have  lately  been 
I  for  you.  The 
is  moil  unkind? 
n  the  clofefl  and 
that,  on  an  ap- 
hich  you  might 
latural  and  more 


f    39    ) 

probable,  you  ihould  pitch  upon  that  /ingle  motive  which 

alone  ;s  injurious  to  me  ?    I  have  not,  I  own,  wrote  fo  often 

to  you  as  I  wifhed,  and  as  I  ought :    But  think  of  my  f.tua- 

bon  and  then  afk  your  heart,  if  I  be  without   excuse. 

We  are  not,  my  dearefV,  in  circumflances  the  mofl  favourable 

tpourhappmefs:  but  let  us  not,  I  befeech  you,   idly  make 

them  worfe,  by  indulging  fufpieions  and  apprchenfioBS  which 

minds  in  d.ftrefs  arc  but  too  apt  to  give  way  to.     I  never 

vv^s,  as  you  have  often  told  me,  even  in  my  better  and  more 

diiengaged  days,  fo  attentive  to  the  little  punftilios  of  friend- 

Ihip,  as,  .t  may  '-e,  became  me  :  but,  my  heart  tells  me,  there 

never  was  a  moment  in  my  life  fine.  I  Hrft  knew  you,   ia  " 

which  It  did  Hot  cleave  and  cling  to  you  u  ith  the  warmeft  af- 

feaion  :  and  it  muft  ceafe  to  beat,  ere  it  can  ceale  to  wifh 

for  ypur  happinefs,  above  any  thing  on  earth. 

I  congratulate  you  mofl  cordially  on  the  fair  profpedt  of  re. 
covery  of  your  amiable  daughter-in-law;  nor  can  I  wonder, 
that  this  fecond  lofs  of  a  little  one  ihould  affedt  you;  I  fear  the 
fatigues  of  the  journey,and  thcperpetual  agitations  cf  acamp 
were,  too  much  for  her.  They  are,  however,  both  young  and 
healthy ;  fo  that  therecan  be  little  doubt  of  their  foon  repairino- 
the  lofs.  ^       '^ 

And  now  will  my  deareft  love  permit  me,  a  little  more 
carneftly  than  I  have  ever  yet  done,  to  prefs  you  to  confent 
^  that  lo  neceflkry,  fo  fafe  and  eafy,  though  fo  dreaded  a 
*mg~the  being  innoculated?  It  was  always  advifeable;  but 
at  this  junduie  it  fcems  to  be  almoft  abfolutely  necefTary 

I. am  far  from  fure,  that,  that  reftlefs  madman,  our  q.ion. 
dw  Governor,  from  the  mere  luft  of  doing  mifchief,  will 
not  foon  betake  himfelf  to  the  carrying  on  a  predatory  vvar 
m  our  rivers.  And  as  Potomack  will  certainly  be  thou^Wic 
moft  favourable  for  his  purpofes,  as  affording  him  fcope  to 
keep  without  the  reach  of  annoyance,  I  have  iktle  realon  to 
flatter  my&lf,  that  it  would  not  be  particular!  v  plcaf.ng  to  him, 
t9  vent  hJS  /pite  at  my  houfe.     Let  him ;  it'would  affed  me 


# 


i 


i 


I 


I 


C   40    ) 


only  as  it  might  afFeft  you ;  and,  for  this  reafon,  among  others,' 
1  uifli  you  out  of  his  reach.  Yet  I  think  I  would  not  have 
you  quit  your  houfe  profeflcdly  from  an  apprehenHon  of  a 
vifit  from  him  :  An  appearance  of  fearfulnefs  and  timidity, 
even  in  a  woman  of  my  family,  might  have  a  bad  effeft  j 
huf,  I  muft  be  fomething  more  or  lefs  than  man,  not  to  wifli 
you  out  of  the  way  of  a  danger,  which,  to  fay  the  leaft,  muft 
bedifagrccablc  to  you,  and  could  do  good  to  no  one.  All  this 
mafc:!.*"?  for  ynur  going  to  Philadelphia,  a  place  of  perfedt  fe- 
curi  'y ;  and  it  v.'ould  be  almoft  worth  while  to  be  innocula- 
tcd,  if  it  were  only  for  the  fair  pretence  it  furnifhes  you  with 
of  quitting  Virginia,  at  a  time  when  I  could  not  but  be  ex- 
ceedingly uneafyat  your  remaining  in  it.  But  I  flatter  my- 
felf  any  further  arguments  will  be  unneceiTary,  when  I  (hall 
add,  as  I  now  do,  that  till  you  have  had  the  fmall-pox,  anxi- 
oufly  as  clfe  I  (hould  wiih  for  it,  I  never  can  thif^lc  of  con- 
fcnting  to  your  pafling  the  winter  here  in  quarters  with  me. 

I  would  have  Lund  Wafhington  immediately  remove  ail 
the  unmarried  and  fufpicious  of  the  (laves,  to  the  quarters  in 
Frederick.  The  harvefting  muft  be  got  in  by  hirelings. 
Let  him  not  keep  any  large  ftock  of  grain  trod  out,  cfpcci- 
allyat  the  mill,  or  within  the  reach  of  water  carriage;  and 
in  particular,  let  as  little  as  may  be,  be  left  at  Clifton's  quar- 
ters. It  will  not  be  too  late,  even  in  the  firft  week  of  July, 
to  fow  the  additional  fupply  of  hemp  and  flax  feed  which  Mr. 
Mifflin  has  procured  forme  in  Philadelphia;  and  which! 
hope  will  be  with  you  before  this  letter.  For  obvious  rea- 
funs,  you  will  not  fow  it  on  the  ifland,  nor  by  the  water  fide. 
But  I  hope  you  will  have  a  good  account  of  your  crop  on  the 
Ohio.  If  Bridgey  continues  refradlory  and  riotous,  though 
C  know  you  can  illfpare  him,  let  him  by  all  means  be  fent  ofl^, 
as  I  hope  Jack  Cuftis's  boy  Joe  already  is,  for  his  faucinefs 
at  Cambridge. 

My  attention  is  this  moment  called  off  to  the  difcovery,  or 
pretended  difcovery,  of  a  moft  wild  and  daring  plot.     It  is 


'f 


fon,  among  othcR,' 
I  would  not  have 
apprehenfion  of  a 
Inefs  and  timidity, 
ave  a  bad  effeft  ; 
man,  not  to  wifli 
ay  the  leaft,  muft 
?  no  one.  All  this 
lace  of  perfedt  fe- 
le  to  be  innocula- 
urniflies  you  with 
lid  not  but  be  ex- 
But  I  flatter  my- 
ary,  when  I  (hall 
;  fmall-pox,  anxi- 
can  thif^lc  of  con- 
quarters  with  me. 
iiately  remove  ail 
to  the  quarters  in 

in  by  hirelings, 
trod  out,  cfpeci- 
tcr  carriage ;  and 
It  Clifton's  quar- 
rft  week  of  July, 
X  feed  which  Mr. 
lia ;  and  which  I 
For  obvious  rea- 
by  the  water  fide. 
'  your  crop  on  the 
I  riotous,  though 
means  be  fent  oiF, 

for  his  faucinefs 

the  difcovery,  or 
aring  plot.     It  is 


(    41    ) 

impoffible,  as  yef,  to  devclope  the  myftery  ia  which  it  citi  ei 
is,  or  is  fuppofed  to  b.-  involved.  Thus  much  only  I  can  fliid 
cut  with  certainty,  hat  it  will  be  a  fine  fiJd  for  a  v  ar  of  lies 
on  bo  h  fid;;s.  No  (b  ibt  it  will  male  a  good  deal  of  noifc  in 
the  country;  and  there  arc  who  think  it  uf.ful  to  hav;;  the 
minds  of  the  people  kept  conftai.tly  on  tlic  irtt  by  rumours  of 
this  Crt.  For  m/  par',  I  v\  ho  am  faid  to  be  the  objcit  p;  in- 
dpally  aimed  at  in  it,  find  my.el '  perkdly  at  my  eay ;  iind 
I  have  mentioned  it  to  you  only  from  an  apprchcnfioii  th;.r, 
hearing  it  from  others  and  not  from  me,  yon  might  iir:a-::i;:e  I 
was  in  the  midft  of  danger  that  I  knew  not  of. 

The  perpetual  folicitude  of  your  poor  heart  abnut  mc,  is 
certainly  highly  flattering  to  me  ;  yet  I  flioulJ  be  happy  to  be 
able  to  quiet  your  fears.  Why  do  you  complain  of  my  rc- 
ferves  ?  Or,  how  could  you  imagine  that  I  diftrufted  ci  Jicr 
your  prudence  or  your  fidelity  ?  I  have  the  highcft  opinion  of 
them  both.  But  why  fliouW  I  teaze  you  with  tedious  details 
of  fchemcs  and  views  which  are  perpetually  varying ;  and 
which  therefore  might,  not  improbably;  miflead,  where  I  meant 
to  inform  you  ?  Suffice  it  that  I  fay,  what  I  haveoftcn  before 
told  you,  thar,  as  far  as  I  have  the  controul  of  them,  all  our 
preparations  of  war  aim  only  at  peace.  Neither  do  I,  at  this 
moment,  fee  the  leaft  likelihood  of  there  being  any  confider- 
able  military  operations  this  feafonj  and,  if  not  in  this  fcafon, 
certainly  in  no  other.  It  is  impoffible  to  fuppofe,  that,  in  the 
leifure  and  quiet  of  winter  quarters,  men  will  not  have  the 
▼irtue  to  liften  to  the  diaates  of  plain  common  fenfe  and  fo- 
ber  reafon.  The  only  true  intereft  of  both  fides  is  reconcili- 
ation  i  nor  can  there  be  a  point  in  the  world  clearer,  than  that 
both  fides  muft  be  lofers  by  war,  in  a  manner  which  eveii 
peace  will  not  foon  comp-nfate  for.  We  muft,  at  laft,  agree 
and  be  friends;  for  we  cannot  live  without  them,  and  they 
will  niot  without  us;  and  a  bye-ftander  might  well  be  puz- 
»Ud  to  find  oiit,  why  as  good  terms  cannot  be  given  and  -a- 

•       f       - 


t^ft,tmmm^i>^- . 


■%^  =fc=^..A-^i''*?<'" 


i;»i 


(    4»     ) 

ken  now,  as  wh-n  we  (h.ill  have  we'l  nigh  ruined  each  orVijf 
by  the  mutuitl  ma'fnefs  of  ructiiig  one anothci 's  throat  .  For 
all  thcfe  rearon<:,  ^vhlvh  cannot  but  be  as  obtious  to  the  £n- 
glilh  commiffi  .nc^,  ami  o  cs,  as  they  are  lo  mv;,  I  .mi  at  a 
lofs  to  imagine  ho  /  any  hing  can  a  ife  to  obftr  A  a  negi»ci- 
atior:,  a;; J,  of  confcqucncr,  a  pacilica:ion.  You  who  know 
my  heai  r,  jtnow  that  there  is  not  a  wifli  nearer  ;« it  than  this 
is;  bui  I  am  prepared  for  every  event  one  onl.  excepted — I 
mean  a  difli  norabk peace.  Rather  than  tha:,  'it  m'',  tho.igh 
it  be  ^^  iih  the  lois  of  every  thing  elfe  I  hold  d^ar,  continue 
this  horrid  trade,  and,  by  ihe  moft  unliirely  mean- ,  be  the  un- 
%vorthy  iiift  iiment  of  prefervingp  htical  I'ecurity  and  happi« 
nefs  to  them,  as  well  as  .o  our.elves. — Piy  this  cannot  beac- 
c  impliOied,  with  ut  fixing  on  me  that  fad  name.  Rebel.  I 
love  my  ki.ig-,  you  know  I  do:  afol  iier,  agiod  man  cannot 
but  love  him.  H  ).v  pec  lia.  ly  hard  then  is  our  firtune  to  be 
de.r.ieJ.  traitor  to  fo  good  a  I:ing  !  But,  I  am  not  ^vithout 
hop.'f,  t.'iat  even  he  will  yet  Ice  caufe  to  d  >  mc  juftice  :  po- 
fteruy,  I  am  fure,  u  ill.  M^an  while,  I  c.m'^ort  myf  If  « iih 
th.  ..fl  flijii,  Lh..t  this  has  b.en  the  fate  o  the  b  i\  and  bravcfl; 
men,  even  of  the  b  ron;  who  i<bcained  Magna  Chai  a,  whilft 
the  difputc  was  d:;pending.  Tnis,  ho  vevei,  anxinuflv  as  I 
vvifh  for  ir,  it  is  not  mine  to  command  :  I  fee  my  duty,  that 
of  Handing  up  for  the  liberties  of  my  count: ;,  ;  and  whatever 
difficulties  and  difcouragements  lie  in  my  v.  ay,  I  dare  not 
(hrink  from  it ;  and  I  rely  on  that  being,  who  has  not  Jefr  to 
us  the  choice  of  dutie'-,  that  whilft  I  conli:ientioufly  dilcna  ge 
mine,  I  (hdll  not  finally  lofe  my  reward.  If  I  really  am  nor 
a  bad  man,  I  fhall  not  long  be  fo  let  down. 

Afllire  you.  felf,  I  will  pay  all  poffiblc  atfentior  ♦'o  your  re- 
commendations. But  happy  as  I  am  in  an  oppoitunity  of 
obliging  you,  even  in  the  fmalleft  things,  take  it  not  amifs, 
that  I  ufe  the  freedom  with  you,  to  whilper  in  your  ear,  to  be 
fparing  of  them.  You  know  how  I  am  circumftanced ;  hardlj 


tiJTIH  iWMMt  I    , 


.SSii,S^ 


(    43    ) 


•uined  each  ot^sf 
!i's  throat  .  For 
t'ious  to  the  £n- 
lo  mv^,  I  .im  a;  a 
bftf  A  a  negi»ci- 
You  who  know 
rcr  it>  it  than  this 
ml.  excepted — I 
a:,  'itm',  thoiigh 
d  d?ar,  continue 
nean- ,  be  the  un- 
;urity  and  happi- 
this  cannot  be  ac- 
namef  Rebel.  I 
gtod  man  cannot 
uur  firtune  to  be 
am  not  ^vithout 
me  juflice  :  po- 
n'^ort  myf"  If  \\hh 
eh  flam!  bravrft 
na  Cha/  a,  whilft 
I,  anxinuflv  as  I 
Tee  my  duty,  that 
)  ;  and  whaicver 
V.  ay,  I  dare  not 
ho  has  notlefr  to 
ntioufly  diicna  ge 
[f  I  really  am  nor 

rntior  ♦'o  your  re- 
n  oppoitunity  of 
take  it  not  amifs, 
in  your  ear,  to  be 
mftanced;  hardlj 


the  promotion  of?  fubaltem  is  left  to  me;  and  free  and  inde« 
perdentas  I  am,  I  refolve  to  r.  m^in  'o.  1  owe  the  Congrefs 
no  obligati  ns  tor  any  pi^rfonal  av^turs  done  to  my'elf ;  nor 
will  I  run  in  debt  to  them  for  favours  to  others.  Bili  'es,  I  am 
in">rtiiiedtoha>etoafk  )fthcm,  wha  ,  in  f  )..ndp:)licy  (ifother 
mo.iveshaJ  been  w.in.ing)  they  ought  to  havegranied  tom3 
unafkeJ.  I  cannjt  d.-fciibe  lo  you  the  inonvenit-ncies  ihis 
army  fufF.-rs,  for  wan  of  this  confcquence  being  give  i  to  its 
commander  in  chief.  B  jt,  ai;  thefe  migh':  be  cncr-afed,  ACre 
my  peculiar  firuation  in  this  refpcdl  gen:;  all .  kii  >  vn,  I  for- 
bear; only  enjoming  on  you  n  ca  lious  fiicnce  on  this  head. 
In  a  regular  arm  ,  our  Vir<;inlay')uiig  cr,  woulJ  cs  tuinl}', 
in  general,  make  the  beft  ifficr";  but  I  re^^r  \  tiiat  ilv-y  have 
notnow  p  !t  itinmy  poweijullly  opay  hum  hiscompli  .  cut. 
They  difl'kc  their  n  )ither;i  allies ;  and  .hisdiflike  is  -.h.'  louice 
of  infinite  mifchicfs  apd  vexations  l'»  me.  In  the  ir.a.y  ^'if- 
putcs  and  qjarrels  of  this  fo.t  which  we  have  ha  ',  one  ihiiig 
has  particularly  ftr.;clt  mc.  My  cour.trymcn  are  no'  i.i'crior 
in  underftanding  ;  and  arc  cer  ainly  ("uperi^r  in  that  dift  n- 
guiflied  'piiit  aad  hig'i  fcne  o>  hL:iior  v^hich  fli  mid  form  he 
character  of  an  officer.  Yer,  omchow  or  othi.r,  It  forever 
happens,  that  in  every  altc.caiion,  they  arc  proved  to  be  in  the 
wrong ;  and  they  expctSt  of  m .  attcn.ions  and  partialities 
which  it  is  not  in  my  power  tc  /hew  them. 

Let  me  rely  that  yo  :r  anfwcr  to  this  will  be  dated  in  Phi- 
ladelphia. If  I  am  n:)t  ve  y  bufily  engaged,  ( »v  hich  I  hope 
may  not  be  the  cafe)  perhaps  I  may  find  wa  s  and  means  to 
pay  you  a  vifit  of  a  day  or  two ;  but  this  I  rather  hint  as 
what  I  wifli,  than  what  I  dare  bid  you  cxpecT:.  If  you  (till 
think  the  fragmcn:s  of  the  fet  of  greys  I  bought  ut  Lord 
Botetourt  unequal  to  the  journey,  let  L  ind  Walhington  fell 
them  finely,  or  otherwi  e  a?  he  can,  to  the  bell  advantage, 
and  purchafc  a  nev  fet  of  bay;.  I  cjuld  as  you  dcfire,  gee 
ibeni  here,  and  perhsips  on  be  ter  tCi  ms  ;  but  I  have  a  notion, 

F   2 


Vi 


...*^ 


f 

1 1 


!J 


1 


(    H    ) 

whether  well  or  ill  founded  I  know  n»t,  that  they  never  an- 
fwcr  well  in  Virginia.  I  b^-g  t  >  be  afFeaionat  ly  remein- 
be  ed  to  all  oir  friends  and  relations  ;  and  tha*  you  will  con- 
tinue to  bslietre  me  to  be 

Yuur  moft  Faithful 

And  tender  Hufband, 

G,  W. 


THE    END. 


-ii 


I 


i   : 


mmimSltm 


**"**"--■  —      ' 


II      aiiinlniB^rtu^..  . 


I 


1 


It  they  never  an- 
lonac  ly  remein* 
ia»  you  will  coo- 


(band. 


G.  W. 


Il 


u 


ii 


H 


